Evaluation of cognitive impairment in patients with episodic migraine

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence of cognitive deficits in patients with episodic migraine and control group, and to compare with the results previously described in the literature. METHODS: Patients with episodic migraine were included according to the International Headache Society criteria, and a control group was selected, matched by sex, age, and schooling. Patients were asked about the frequency and intensity of headaches, medications used, and comorbidities. Afterwards, a neuropsychological assessment was applied using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, the clock drawing test, the verbal fluency test, and the Stroop test. The main variables influencing cognitive dysfunctions were analyzed (depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, sleep disorder, use of medication). RESULTS: Thirty patients with episodic migraine and 30 controls were evaluated. Patients with episodic migraine had a performance in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test (p=0.53), the clock drawing test (p=0.80), the verbal fluency test (p=0.44) and the Stroop test (p=0.97) similar to the control group. Patients with chronic migraine (30 patients and 30 controls) performed a Montreal Cognitive Assessment test (p=0.00), verbal fluency test (p=0.00) and Stroop test (p=0.00) lower than the group control. The main variables influencing cognitive disorders were studied by linear regression, and none of these variables was an influencing factor in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test. CONCLUSION: Patients with episodic migraine did not present cognitive deficits compared to a control group