ADHD Is Comorbid to Migraine in Childhood: A Population-Based Study

Abstract

Objective: Recurrent headaches and ADHD are prevalent in the pediatric population. Herein, we assess if ADHD is comorbid to headaches overall, to headache subtypes (e.g., migraine), and to headache frequency. Method: Informed consent and analyzable data were obtained for 5,671 children aged 5 to 12 years (65.9% of the target sample). Parents and teachers were interviewed using validated questionnaires based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5). Relative risks were modeled using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: As contrasted to nonheadache controls, the prevalence of ADHD was significantly higher in children with migraine ( p < .001) but not in those with tension-type headaches. In children with migraine, risk of ADHD increased as a function of headache frequency ( p < .05). Conclusion: Migraine and frequent migraine are comorbid to ADHD. Future studies should focus on the impact of the association on the burden to the children and their families.