Migraine and COVID-19 lockdown

Abstract

Lifestyle, behaviours, physical activity (PA) and working habits had been influenced by COVID-19 lockdown. Aim of the study is to assess the impact of lockdown on migraine. Migraineurs who attended the Headache Centre from 01.06.2019 to 31.12.2019 were interviewed. Patients were prophylaxis free or they were on the same prophylaxis from at least 3 months. Demographics, working routine, lifestyle, migraine characteristics and disability (HIT-6) were compared between the first month of the lockdown (March 2020) and a reference month prior the lockdown (January 2020). Thirty-seven patients were analysed in two groups, migraine without aura (MwoA) (n = 26, 45 y [31–53]) and migraine with aura (MwA) plus migraine with and without aura (MwA/MwoA) (n = 11, 38 y [26–47]). No changes were reported for food/fluid/alcohol intake, smoke and sleep, while PA decreased (65% vs 31%; p = 0.012). Time spent working outside the habitation reduced (MwoA, p = 0.001; MwA plus MwA/MwoA, p = 0.005) with an increase of remote working (MwoA, p = 0.011; MwA plus MwA/MwoA, p = 0.039). Patients with MwoA reported mean headache duration [3 h, (2–12) vs 2 h (1–8); p = 0.041] and HIT score [59 (51–63) vs 50 (44–57); p = 0.001. Patients with MwoA living in urban area had a higher HIT score than those living in rural area [53 (46–57) vs 42 (36–49) (p = 0.033)]. Severity of the attack and symptomatic drug intake didn't change. Pain duration and disability improved in MwoA during lockdown, probably due to possibility to rest during attack. Living in rural area might have a protective role.