Migraine headaches are not associated with a unique depressive symptom profile: Results from the Baltimore Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study

ObjectiveThere is a well-established link between migraine headaches and depression. However, it is unclear whether individuals with migraine experience a unique profile of depressive symptoms in comparison to individuals without migraine.MethodsThis question was addressed using data from the Baltimore cohort of the Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study. The cross-sectional association between migraine headaches and each depressive symptom was calculated using logistic regression, and symptom profiles among those with migraine headaches (n=249) and those without (n=1480) were compared using generalized estimating equations.ResultsMigraine headaches were associated with increased odds of reporting seven of nine depressive symptom groups by a factor of roughly 2. However, when the symptom profiles were compared, individuals with migraine headaches did not differ in their profile of symptoms.ConclusionThese results suggest that individuals with migraine headaches are more likely to report depressive symptoms but do not display a unique profile of symptoms.