First Published Friday, 23 January 2009
The relationship between migraine and mental disorders in a population-based sample.
Ratcliffe GE, Enns MW, Jacobi F, Belik SL, Sareen J.
Department of Psychiatry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Epidemiology and Service Research Unit, Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technical University of Dresden, 01187 Dresden, Germany; Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Objective: There is emerging evidence from clinical and community samples to suggest that migraines are associated with mental disorders. The present study utilized a large population-based sample to investigate the association between physician-diagnosed migraine and mental disorders.
Method: Data were from the German Health Survey conducted between 1997 and 1999 (N=4181, response rate 61.4%, age 18-65 years). Lifetime and 12-month history of migraines were assessed by self-report and by a physician. Past 12-month DSM-IV mental disorders were assessed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview.
Results: After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, past-year migraine was significantly and positively associated with depression, dysthymia, bipolar disorder, panic attacks, panic disorder, agoraphobia and simple phobia [adjusted odds ratios (AOR) ranging from 1.74 to 3.21]. After additionally adjusting for other mental disorders, any anxiety disorder (AOR=1.82) and any mood disorder (AOR=1.61) remained significantly associated with past-year migraine.
Conclusion: Although causal inferences cannot be made due to the cross-sectional nature of the data, the present study adds to a growing body of literature that suggests a strong association between migraines and mood and anxiety disorders.
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