The effect of fibromyalgia syndrome on female patients diagnosed with chronic migraine

Objective

To compare pain, quality of life, sleep, anxiety and depression, central sensitization, and functionality between chronic migraine (CM) patients with comorbid fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and patients with CM alone.

Method

Thirty three female patients with CM and thirty three female patients with CM+FMS were enrolled in the study. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were recorded. FM was diagnosed based on the 2016 American College of Rheumatology diagnostic criteria. All participants were evaluated with Allodynia Symptom Checklist, Short Form-36 (SF-36), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) and Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) questionnaires, and Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI). FM patients were also evaluated with Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ).

Results

The average number of headache days was significantly higher in patients with CM+FMS (p = 0.006). Among migraine accompanying symptoms, the number of patients with phonophobia was significantly higher in patients with CM+FMS (p = 0.008). While CSI score was 39.0 ± 11.7 in CM patients, it was 52.2 ± 9.2 in CM+FMS patients. CSI scores were higher in CM+FMS patients (p < 0.001). SF-36 sub-cores, including physical function, energy/fatigue, emotional well-being, and general health scores, were lower in CM+FMS patients (p < 0.05). Sleep duration was significantly lower and use of medication to sleep was more common in same group (p < 0.05). FIQ score in CM+FMS patients was associated with quality of life scores, sleep quality, anxiety, and central sensitization scores (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

In patients with chronic migraine, FMS comorbidity negatively affects the quality of life and significantly increases central sensitization.