Psychosocial Profile and Psychiatric Comorbidity in Patients with Chronic Headache

Abstract

BACKGROUND Chronic daily headache is a common problem reported in tertiary centres and headache is more commonly comorbid with psychiatric disorders. Headache associated with psychopathology has exaggerated effects on quality of life and disability. Comorbid psychiatric illnesses are risk factors for headaches becoming chronic. Earlier studies on the comorbidity of headache and psychiatric disorders found that comorbidity was found among 90 % of the samples with chronic headaches. The objectives of the study were to evaluate psychiatric comorbidity of patients with chronic headache and the association between socio-demographic factors and psychiatric disorders in patients with chronic headache. METHODS The present study was done in tertiary care hospital, on psychosocial profile and psychiatric disorders in patients with chronic headaches. The subjects belonging to both sexes and above twenty years were included in the study. After obtaining the socio-demographic details of each subject as per pre-decided intake proforma, each subject was administered with M.I.N.I. Plus. The data obtained were analyzed by statistical methods and the results were compiled. RESULTS According to the study, young age group, females, married, illiterates, and people with low socioeconomic status were suffering from chronic headaches. The most common psychiatric comorbidity seen among the study population was major depressive disorder (MDD), dysthymia, panic disorder with agoraphobia and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). CONCLUSIONS There is a need to assess psychiatric comorbidity among patients suffering from headaches as early diagnosis will help in the good prognosis of the individuals and better patient care. KEY WORDS Chronic Headache, Psychiatric Comorbidity, Major Depressive Disorder, Panic Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder.