No abstract

The association between migraine and psychiatric disorders has been reported in both clinical and epidemiological studies. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders has been found to be increased among individuals with migraine. Studies assessing migraine in psychiatric patients are limited and the majority of these studies have focused solely on examining patients with major depression. In the present study, we examined the prevalence and characteristics of migraine headache in an anxiety disorders clinic sample in order to better understand the relationship between these commonly associated conditions. We evaluated 206 consecutive outpatients to an Anxiety Disorders Clinic for the prevalence of migraine. The presence of migraine was established using International Headache Society Criteria. Subjects completed a modified self-report version of the Headache Diagnostic Questionnaire. In order to assess the relationship between migraine and anxiety disorder symptom severity, subjects completed standardized measures of symptom severity. The prevalence of migraine in our anxiety disorder clinic sample was 67%. Anxiety disorder patients with migraine presented with a significantly greater number of comorbid psychiatric disorders than patients without migraine (P= 0.012). The prevalence of migraine was significantly higher in patients with a diagnosis of either panic disorder with agoraphobia (P= 0.048) or major depressive disorder/dysthymia (P= 0.008) compared to other psychiatric disorders. The severity of anxiety disorder symptoms was significantly higher in patients with migraine compared to patients without migraine. This study suggests that there is an increased prevalence of migraine headaches among anxiety disorder patients as compared to the general population. Migraine comorbidity may have important clinical implications, such that the treatment of one condition could potentially ameliorate the development or progression of the other. Further research is required to better understand the nature and implications of the association between migraine and psychiatric disorders.

It is well established that individuals with anxiety disorders experience significant impairments in social and occupational functioning. However, the impact of anxiety disorders on family members has not been adequately studied. The objective of the present study was to examine the burden experienced by relatives of anxiety disorder patients. In all, 74 outpatients and 74 family members participated in the study. Family members completed measures that assessed the impact of having an anxiety disordered relative. Results indicate that family members experience significant burden. The burden encompasses several domains including negative effects on physical health, psychological well-being, and family functioning. Burden was positively correlated with the severity of the patient's condition. The presence of a comorbid mood disorder in patients was associated with increased burden. Health-care professionals should assess the impact of anxiety disorders on the patient's family and provide interventions to reduce burden and improve the quality of life of family members.

AbetaP production and transcriptional regulation during CH regulated the properties of a peripheral chemosensory cell, defining a role for these enigmatic peptides in the signalling pathway of a physiological response to CH in the developing cardiovascular system.