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Open Access 01-12-2013 | Research article

Personality traits in chronic daily headache patients with and without psychiatric comorbidity: an observational study in a tertiary care headache center

Authors: Marialuisa Rausa, Sabina Cevoli, Elisa Sancisi, Daniela Grimaldi, Gabriella Pollutri, Michela Casoria, Daniela Grieco, Alberto Bisi, Pietro Cortelli, Euro Pozzi, Giulia Pierangeli

Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain | Issue 1/2013

Abstract

Background

Previous studies suggest that patients with Chronic Daily Headache (CDH) have higher levels of anxiety and depressive disorders than patients with episodic migraine or tension-type headache. However, no study has considered the presence of psychiatric comorbidity in the analysis of personality traits. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity and specific personality traits in CDH patients, exploring if specific personality traits are associated to headache itself or to the psychiatric comorbidity associated with headache.

Methods

An observational, cross-sectional study. Ninety-four CDH patients with and without medication overuse were included in the study and assessed by clinical psychiatric interview and Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.) as diagnostic tools. Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) were afterwards administered. Patients with and without psychiatric comorbidity were compared. Further analyses were made by splitting the whole group according to the headache diagnosis and the presence or not of medication overuse.

Results

Psychiatric comorbidity was detected in 44 patients (46.8%) (group A) and was absent in the remaining 50 patients (53.2%) (group B). Mood and anxiety disorders were the most frequently diagnosed (43.6%).

In the overall group, mean scores of MMPI-2 showed a high level in the so-called neurotic triad; in particular the mean score in the Hypochondriasis subscale was in the pathologic area (73.55 ± 13.59), while Depression and Hysteria scores were moderate but not severe (62.53 and 61.61, respectively). In content scales, score in Health Concern was also high (66.73).

Group A presented higher scores compared to Group B in the following MMPI-2 subscales: Hypochondriasis (p = .036), Depression (p = .032), Hysteria (p < .0001), Hypomania (p = .030). Group B had a high score only in the Hypochondriasis subscale. No significant differences were found between chronic migraine (CM)-probable CM (pCM) plus probable medication overuse headache (pMOH) and chronic tension-type headache (CTTH)-probable CTTH (pCTTH) plus pMOH patients or between patients with and without drug overuse.

Conclusions

The so-called “Neurotic Profile” reached clinical level only in CDH patients with psychiatric comorbidity while a high concern about their general health status was a common feature in all CDH patients.

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Title: Personality traits in chronic daily headache patients with and without psychiatric comorbidity: an observational study in a tertiary care headache center
Authors: Marialuisa Rausa
Sabina Cevoli
Elisa Sancisi
Daniela Grimaldi
Gabriella Pollutri
Michela Casoria
Daniela Grieco
Alberto Bisi
Pietro Cortelli
Euro Pozzi
Giulia Pierangeli
Publication date: 01-12-2013
Publisher: Springer Milan
Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain / Issue 1/2013
Print ISSN: 1129-2369
Electronic ISSN: 1129-2377
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1129-2377-14-22

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Personality traits in chronic daily headache patients with and without psychiatric comorbidity: an observational study in a tertiary care headache center

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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