Cephalalgiaphobia as a feature of high-frequency migraine: a pilot study

Giulia Giannini, Stefano Zanigni, Daniela Grimaldi, Roberto Melotti, Giulia Pierangeli, Pietro Cortelli, Sabina Cevoli

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cephalalgiaphobia is the fear of having a headache attack during a pain-free period that may induce patients to use analgesic in the absence of pain to prevent headache and to improve their performances. This study aims at assessing if cephalalgiaphobia is related to migraine frequency or medication overuse, and if it is per se a predictor of increase in migraine frequency.

METHODS: This is a pilot prospective cohort study on 126 consecutive migraineurs referred to a tertiary Headache Centre. A headache specialist collected data regarding migraine features, frequency and medications at baseline (T0) and 2 years later (T1). Cephalalgiaphobia was investigated at T0 and T1 through a score determined by a 4 items questionnaire.

RESULTS: Moderate-high migraine frequency was associated with higher risk of cephalalgiaphobia (p < 0.001). Chronic migraineurs with medication overuse had higher score of cephalalgiaphobia than those without medication overuse (p < 0.001). Patients with increased migraine frequency between T0 and T1 had higher cephalalgiaphobia score (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Cephalalgiaphobia may represent a high-frequency migraine feature and may play a role in chronicization. Therefore, it should be better investigated by clinicians and treated or prevented in order to reduce the risk of disability and the increase in migraine frequency.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number49
Pages (from-to)49
Number of pages1
JournalThe journal of headache and pain
Volume14
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology
  • Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

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