Coexistence of symptoms associated with trigeminal pathways in chronic and episodic migraine and the effects on quality of life

Abstract

Objective. The functional impairment in migraine greatly depends on the chronicity of the disease. Patients with migraine suffer from sleep difficulties and concentration problems. Cranial autonomic symptoms, vertigo, dizziness, and cutaneous allodynia are also frequent in patients with migraine. In this paper, we aim to investigate the coexistence of these symptoms and their effects on the quality of life of patients with chronic and episodic migraine. Methods. The study included 1,080 patients with migraine. The presence of cranial autonomic symptoms, vertigo/dizziness, cutaneous allodynia, concentration-related impairment in function, and abnormal sleep latency was sought in patients with questionnaires, and comparisons were made between episodic and chronic migraine groups. Results. Abnormal sleep latency and concentration-related impairment in function were more frequent in patients with chronic migraine compared with those with the episodic form (P < 0.001 for both). Furthermore, these two symptoms were significantly more frequent in separate patient groups with cranial autonomic symptoms, vertigo/ dizziness, and cutaneous allodynia than patients without (P < 0.005). Conclusion. Abnormal sleep latency and concentration-related impairment in function were more frequent in patients with chronic migraine than those with the episodic form. Cranial autonomic symptoms, vertigo/dizziness, and cutaneous allodynia were significantly coexisting in migraine patients.