The Prevalence of Bipolar Spectrum in Migraine

As epidemiologic studies show migraine is one of the most common headache syndromes in the general population. The lifetime prevalence is usually between 9% and 13%. Several psychiatric conditions are co morbid in migraine patients. Among the psychiatric illnesses, mood and anxiety disorders have been to be most strongly associated with migraine. The prevalence of migraine in people with bipolar disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and phobia is also elevated. This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between migraine and bipolar disorder.

In a descriptive-analytical study on 213 migraine patients and 164 healthy individual's a 15 item mood disorder questionnaire was completed. We matched group in the case of gender and age. This study was performed from March to spring 2006. The prevalence of bipolar spectrum for two groups was compared by SPSS.

The prevalence of bipolar spectrum was significantly different in migraine and control group (66.5% versus 8.1%). The prevalence of bipolar spectrum was 68.4% among men who have migraine and 11% among healthy men. The prevalence of bipolar spectrum was 65.4% among women who have migraine and 5.3% among healthy women.

The prevalence of bipolar spectrum in migraine population is more than healthy individuals. It seams that physiologic overlap between migraine and bipolar spectrum is considerable. The recognition of increased co morbidity between migraine and bipolar illness has important clinical implications and can improve treatment of these disorders.