Neurotic characteristics in headache patients

Lee, Jung Bum

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Headache is one of the most common medical complaints. The majority of headaches are not associated with significant organic disease. Many persons are susceptible to headaches at times of emotional or physical distresses. The purpose of this study is to evaluate neurotic symptoms of headache patients.
METHODS
The present study was made in the patients with headache symptoms. who had visits t,he outpatient clinic of Family Medicine of a University Hospital from April 1st to July 31st, 1996, 110 subjects with headaches and 136 controls which were closely matched according to sex, age and socioeconomic status. Neurotic symptoms were assessed using the Symptom Check List for Minor Psychiatric Disorders(SCL-MPD). The statistical analysis was made between the two groups.
RESULTS
1) All but 3 items were significantly higher in headache group(p<0.05 : 2 items;p<0.01 : 9 items ; p<0.001 : 53 items). 2) The headache group had a statistically significant higher score of the each neurotic dimension in comparison of the non-headache group (somatization, anxiety, depression , anger-hostility, interpersonal -sensitivity, phobic anxiety, obsessive -compulsive , neurasthenia, hypochondriasis and general) (p<0.001). 3) The age and the presence of occupation were significantly associated with headache symptoms. The somatization and depression scales had the strongest independent association with headaches as compared with other dimensions.
CONCLUSIONS
Persons with headache had higher levels of neurotic symptoms and psychological distresses compared to the non-headache group. Physicians need to be aware of the various types of distresses comprehensively with psychosocial assessments and evaluations.