Personality disorders are associated with more severe forms of migraine

Acta Neurol Belg. 2019 Jun;119(2):201-205. doi: 10.1007/s13760-018-1050-5. Epub 2018 Nov 24.

Abstract

To investigate the clinical manifestation, disease course, and prognosis of migraine patients with or without personality disorders. This cross-sectional study evaluated 61 patients with migraine diagnosed according to the criteria of the International Headache Society (IHS). Personality disorders were assessed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-II). Migraine severity was assessed with the Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6). We also used a structured clinical interview to diagnose comorbid mood disorders. Of the 61 patients, 20 (32.8%) had personality disorders. Personality disorders included obsessive-compulsive 14/61 (23.0%), avoidant 6/61 (9.8%), borderline 6/61 (9.8%), paranoid 6/61 (9.8%), schizoid 2/61 (3.3%), histrionic 1/61 (1.6%) and dependent 1/61 (1.6%) types. Compared to migraine patients without personality disorders, comorbidity with any personality disorders was associated with an increased frequency of chronic migraine (p < 0.001) and more severe headache as assessed by the HIT-6 (p < 0.001). Comorbidity with personality disorders was associated with more severe forms of migraine symptoms.

Keywords: Chronic migraine; Obsessive–compulsive personality disorder; Personality disorder.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chronic Disease
  • Comorbidity*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Migraine Disorders / complications*
  • Migraine Disorders / physiopathology
  • Personality Disorders / complications*
  • Personality Disorders / physiopathology
  • Personality Disorders / therapy
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales