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The Journal of Headache and Pain

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Open Access 01-12-2022 | Migraine | Research

Tracking the evolution of non-headache symptoms through the migraine attack

Authors: Roberta Messina, Ilaria Cetta, Bruno Colombo, Massimo Filippi

Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain | Issue 1/2022

Abstract

Background

The migraine attack is classically divided into the prodromal, aura, headache and postdromal phase. Previous studies have highlighted non-headache symptoms associated with migraine occurring during the prodromal or postdromal phase. This study aimed to track the evolution of non-headache symptoms throughout all phases of the migraine attack. We also wished to delineate the phenotype of patients with more symptomatic migraine episodes and explore the association between non-painful symptoms and migraine disease activity and patients’ disability.

Methods

Two-hundred and twenty-five migraine patients were enrolled and were asked to recall retrospectively whether non-headache symptoms occurred during the prodromal, headache and postdromal phase of their attacks. The occurrence of symptoms during the different migraine phases was tested using the Cochran’s Q tests, Cohen’s and Fleiss’ kappa. Differences between groups according to the presence of non-headache symptoms through the entire migraine attack and correlations between the frequency of non-headache symptoms experienced during all phases and patients’ disease activity and disability were also assessed.

Results

Ninety-nine percent of patients reported having at least one non-headache symptom in one phase of the migraine attack and 54% of patients had at least one non-headache symptom occurring during all phases of migraine. The occurrence of non-headache symptoms was different throughout the three phases of migraine, being higher during the headache phase than during the prodromal and postdromal phases. Symptoms with the highest co-occurrence throughout all migraine phases were neck stiffness, thirst and abdominal pain. Patients who experienced non-headache symptoms during all three phases of migraine were more frequently females, had a higher disability, were suffering from chronic migraine and had more frequently medication overuse headache.

Conclusion

Migraine is a complex neurological disorder with a wide constellation of non-headache symptoms that can affect the burden of the disease. A better characterization of the evolution of non-headache symptoms through the different phases of migraine can enrich our knowledge on migraine pathophysiology and improve the management of the disease.

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Title: Tracking the evolution of non-headache symptoms through the migraine attack
Authors: Roberta Messina
Ilaria Cetta
Bruno Colombo
Massimo Filippi
Publication date: 01-12-2022
Publisher: Springer Milan
Keywords: Migraine
Neck Stiffness
Aura
Headache
Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain / Issue 1/2022
Print ISSN: 1129-2369
Electronic ISSN: 1129-2377
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-022-01525-6

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Tracking the evolution of non-headache symptoms through the migraine attack

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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