Frecuencia e impacto del trastorno por estrés postraumático y los eventos vitales traumáticos en pacientes con migraña

Abstract

IntroductionPost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been proposed as a risk factor for migraine chronification. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of PTSD and traumatic life events (TE) in patients with episodic migraine (EM) and chronic migraine (CM) and their impact on clinical parameters, other comorbidities, and migraine biomarkers. Material and methodsPatients with EM and CM ICHD-3Beta according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders (third edition; beta version) were recruited at a headache unit and a primary care centre. We used validated questionnaires to investigate PTSD, TE, cranial autonomic symptoms, comorbidities (depression, anxiety, and fatigue), disability, migraine impact, and quality of life. Baseline serum levels of CGRP, VIP, and PACAP were determined by ELISA. ResultsThe study included 116 patients: 35 with EM and 81 with CM. Nineteen presented refractory migraine (RM). PTSD was detected in 23 patients (19.8%): 20 with CM and 3 with EM (chi-square: P=.046; Fisher T: P=.073). Neither the frequency of any TE nor the number of TEs per patient were different between CM and EM. A total of 5/19 patients with RM had experienced sexual violence (vs 2/97 with non-RM; P=.002). PTSD was associated with more autonomic symptoms; higher scores on anxiety, depression, and fatigue scales; and poorer quality of life; and it did not change neuropeptide levels. ConclusionsOur results suggest that PTSD is frequent in patients with migraine, and especially CM, in our setting; history of sexual violence is particularly frequent in patients with RM. PTSD has a negative impact on migraine, with higher numbers of comorbidities and poorer quality of life; therefore, further research is needed in this patient group.