Open AccessImpaired functioning and quality of life in severe migraine: the role of catastrophizing and associated symptoms
Author(s) -
Holroyd KA,
Drew JB,
Cottrell CK,
Romanek KM,
Heh V
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
cephalalgia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.57
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1468-2982
pISSN - 0333-1024
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-2982.2007.01420.x
Subject(s) - migraine , medicine , anxiety , quality of life (healthcare) , phonophobia , photophobia , pain catastrophizing , depression (economics) , clinical psychology , psychiatry , physical therapy , chronic pain , nursing , surgery , aura , economics , macroeconomics
Migraine characteristics are associated with impaired functioning and quality of life (Fn/QoL), but the impact of other factors on Fn/QoL in headache patients is largely unexplored. We examined catastrophizing, comorbid anxiety/depression and migraine characteristics as related to Fn/QoL, and explored the consistency of these relationships across five Fn/QoL measures. We evaluated 232 frequent migraine sufferers for comorbid psychiatric diagnosis, and they completed anxiety, depression and catastrophizing measures, recorded migraine characteristics in a diary and completed five Fn/QoL measures (four self‐report questionnaires, one diary disability measure). Backward regression revealed catastrophizing and severity of associated symptoms (photophobia, phonophobia, nausea) independently predicted Fn/QoL across all five measures (β weights 0.16–0.50, all P < 0.01). This is the first demonstration that a psychological response to migraines (catastrophizing) is associated with impaired Fn/QoL independent of migraine characteristics and other demographic and psychological variables. Severity of associated symptoms also emerged as an important contributor to Fn/QoL.