[Predictors of migraine attacks]

Psychother Psychosom Med Psychol. 2007 Jul;57(7):281-8. doi: 10.1055/s-2006-951951. Epub 2007 Mar 5.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Little is known about psychological and social factors influencing the frequency of migraine attacks. The aim of the present study was to study whether anger, anger-expression, anxiety, depression, somatization and childhood adversities influence the frequency of migraine attacks. 53 female patients suffering from migraine with a mean monthly headache frequency of 6.85 took part. Groups of patients with 6 or less monthly attacks (N = 27) vs. patients with 7 or more days (N = 26) were formed. Logistic regression analysis revealed, that only the variable "anger-in" resulted in an improvement of prediction of group-membership (rate of correct classified cases: 69.8 %). Tendency to repress anger increases the probability to be a member of the group with frequent attacks. This result points out the relevance of anger-expression and -perception for the psychotherapy of migraine.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anger
  • Anxiety / complications
  • Anxiety / psychology
  • Depression / complications
  • Depression / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Migraine Disorders / etiology
  • Migraine Disorders / psychology*
  • Risk
  • Somatoform Disorders / complications