The characteristics of
psychiatric comorbidity in migraine
have been studied in migraine with
aura (MA) and migraine without
aura (MO). Little information is
available concerning patients with
migraine aura without headache. In
a study of 201 patients with major
affective disorders (DSM–IV) we
have described the clinical characteristics
of patients with these three
sub–types of migraine (IHS criteria)
and compared the MA and migraine
aura without headache groups.
Compared to patients having MA
(
n=57), the group with migraine
aura without headache (
n=18) had a
higher age of onset of migraine
(28.5
vs. 19.2,
p=0.001), significantly
lower prevalences of affective
temperaments (28%
vs. 56%,
p=0.036), suicide attempts (17%
vs.
53%,
p=0.013) and Raynaud’s syndrome
(0%
vs. 25%,
p=0.017).
These results indicate that there
seem to be differences in the clinical
characteristics found in patients
with migraine with aura when compared
to those having the migraine
subtype without a headache phase.
This may convey new information
concerning the comorbid expression
of migraine and affective disorders
or concerning the processes that
differentiates the migraine types
with and without a subsequent pain
attack.
Key words Affective disorders - Affective temperaments - Migraine - Suicide attempt - Raynaud's syndrome