Childhood maltreatment and migraine (part I). Prevalence and adult revictimization: a multicenter headache clinic survey.

Objectives: To examine the prevalence of childhood maltreatment and adult revictimization in migraineurs and the association with sociodemographic factors, depression and anxiety.

Background: Population and practice-based studies have demonstrated an association of childhood abuse and headache in adults, although further details on headache diagnoses, characteristics, and comorbid conditions are lacking. There are mounting data suggesting substantial impact of early maltreatment on adult physical and mental health.

Childhood maltreatment and migraine (part II). Emotional abuse as a risk factor for headache chronification.

Objectives: To assess in a headache clinic population the relationship of childhood abuse and neglect with migraine characteristics, including type, frequency, disability, allodynia, and age of migraine onset.

Background: Childhood maltreatment is highly prevalent and has been associated with recurrent headache. Maltreatment is associated with many of the same risk factors for migraine chronification, including depression and anxiety, female sex, substance abuse, and obesity.

Childhood maltreatment and migraine (part III). Association with comorbid pain conditions.

Objective: To evaluate in a headache clinic population the relationship of childhood maltreatment on the prevalence of pain conditions comorbid with migraine.

Background: Childhood maltreatment is highly prevalent and has been frequently associated with recurrent headache. The relationship of maltreatment and pain has, however, been a subject of some debate.

Allodynia in migraine: association with comorbid pain conditions.

Background: Cutaneous allodynia (CA) in migraine is a clinical manifestation of central nervous system sensitization. Several chronic pain syndromes and mood disorders are comorbid with migraine. In this study we examine the relationship of migraine-associated CA with these comorbid conditions.

Demographics and clinical features of patients referred to headache specialists.

Objective: To examine demographic characteristics and clinical features of headache patients referred to neurologists specializing in headache in Canada.

Methods: Demographic and clinical data were collected at the time of consultation for 865 new headache patients referred to five headache-specialty clinics in Canada. The Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) and Migraine Disability Questionnaire (MIDAS) were used to measure headache impact and disability.