[The comorbidity of major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder and anxiety disorders with migraine]

Abstract

Introduction: Since migraine was first reported it has been associated with psychiatric disorders. This association has clinical repercussions and common genetic, environmental and psychological predisposing factors have been suggested.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder as conditions that are comorbid to migraine in patients visiting due to headaches at the Pablo Tobon Uribe Hospital (Medellin, Colombia).

Patients and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analytical study that evaluated all patients aged between 18 and 65 years with migraine according to the International Headache Society criteria who visited during a one-year period. Psychiatric disorders were diagnosed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, followed by a semi-structured interview according to criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV, Text Revision.

Results: A total of 89 patients with migraine were evaluated. The frequency of migraine with aura was 35.9% and that of migraine without aura was 25.8%. The prevalence of major depressive disorder was 21.3%; that of dysthymic disorder was 4.5%; generalised anxiety disorder was 14.6%; social phobia was 6.7%; specific phobia was 5.6%; panic disorder was 5.6%; post-traumatic stress was 4.5% and obsessive-compulsive disorder was 2.2%. Seventeen people (19.1%) had two mental disorders.

Conclusions: Prevalence of the mental disorders evaluated in this group of patients was found to be high. This work suggests the need to evaluate possible common risk and aetiological factors, as well as multidisciplinary treatments for these comorbid states.