The bottom line
Since we now know that women with Migraine disease and depression frequently have a history of abuse, knowing if patients have such a history can play an important role in diagnosis and treating depression in female Migraineurs.
In the absence of research to see if there is an independent relationship between Migraine disease and abuse, all possible efforts need to be made to ensure that female Migraineurs with depression are better identified so that treatment can be made available. Dr. Tietjen expressed this quite eloquently when she said,
“Despite the high prevalence of abuse and the increased health costs associated with it, few physicians routinely ask Migraine patients about abuse history. By questioning women about their abuse history we’ll be able to better identify those women with Migraine at increased risk for depression.”
Note: The study discussed in this article was supported by a grant from the American Headache Society.
Resources:
1 Tietjen, G.E., MD; J.L. Brandes, G.E., MD; Digre, K.B., MD; Baggaley, S., MS, FNP; Martin, V.T., MD; Recober, A., MD; Geweke, L.O., MD; Hafeez, F., MD; Aurora, S.K., MD; Herial, N.A., MD, MPH; Utley, C., MSN, CNP; Khuder, S.A., MPH, PhD. “History of childhood maltreatment is associated with comorbid depression in women with migraine.” Neurology® 2007;69:959–968.
2 Interview with Gretchen Tietjen, MD. August 30, 2007.
3 Press Release. “Depression in Women with Migraine Linked to Childhood Abuse.” St. Paul. American Academy of Neurology. September 3, 2007.
Last updated August 30, 2007.
