Prevalence of migraine in bipolar disorder

Abstract

Background: This study was undertaken to estimate the prevalence of migraine in people suffering from bipolar affective disorder.

Methods: a headache questionnaire incorporating the newly introduced International Headache Society (IHS) criteria was given to 117 patients on the Dunedin Bipolar Research Register.

Results: a total of 81 (69%) completed the questionnaire, out of which 21 (25.9%) reported migraine headaches. 25% of bipolar men and 27% of bipolar women suffered from migraine.

Conclusions: these rates are higher than those reported in the general population with the rate for bipolar men being almost five-times higher than expected. An increased risk of suffering form migraine was particularly noted in bipolar patients with an early onset of the disorder. This may represent a more severe form of bipolar affective disorder.