Abstract
In this study, we aimed to find a correlation between anxiety related to dental procedures and migraines. A cross-sectional study was performed on 171 patients who attended specific dental clinics. The patients were randomly categorized into a migraine group (83) and a control group. To determine the anxiety level, all the patients filled out a validated questionnaire (the Arabic version of the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale). All responses ranged from “not anxious” (scoring 1) to “extremely anxious” (scoring 5). Based on the patient responses, the total score was recorded and compared statistically between the two groups. The sound of drilling was one of the most vital factors causing anxiety and headaches in migraine patients. Comparing the presence or absence of headache and usage of analgesics between the two groups, migraine patients complained to have headaches during or after dental treatment more frequently than controls and used analgesics more than non-migraine controls. Migraine patients visiting dental clinics feel more anxious about the working environment and need certain modifications before, during, and after dental procedures.
Highlights
Headache is commonly seen in individuals, tension headaches being commonest in the general population, while migraine headaches are commonly seen in patients seeking medical attention
This is the first study that correlates anxiety related to dental environment and migraine
We found that individuals that suffer from migraines are more likely to have headaches during or after dental treatment than those who do not have migraines (Table 4)
Summary
Headache is commonly seen in individuals, tension headaches being commonest in the general population, while migraine headaches are commonly seen in patients seeking medical attention. Migraine is a common type of primary headache afflicting millions of people around the world with a wide variety of symptoms [1]. According to the International Headache Society (IHS), migraine headache causes a throbbing pain which is mainly unilateral and associated with photophobia, photophobia, nausea, and vomiting [2]. Studies revealed that around 12% of the American population suffer from migraine [3]. Anxiety is a common comorbid disorder seen in migraine patients [4]. A previous study by Farris et al demonstrated the association between anxiety and migraine severity, especially in women [9]. To the authors’ knowledge, there is no study about the relation between migraine and dental anxiety, so we carried this study as the first one to find the correlation between dental anxiety and migraine in the Saudi population
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