Investigating the Effects of COVID-19 Quarantine on Migraine: Data from the Italian National Headache Registry (RICe)

Abstract BACKGROUND Previous studies during the SARS and Ebola pandemics have shown that quarantine is associated with several negative psychological effects. Although it is possible that quarantine for the current COVID-19 pandemic affects migraine burden, no information is currently available on this i AIM: In this study, we aimed: a) to explore the effect of quarantine on migraine frequency, severity and days with acute medication intake, and b) to evaluate whether migraine, changes in lifestyle, and emotions. were affected in a different manner in three geographic Italian areas with diverse COVID-19 diffusion, METHODS We interviewed patients included in the observational Italian registry of headache (Registro Italiano Cefalee, RICe), retrospectively collecting information on main headache features, lifestyles factors, emotions, individual infection status, and perception for COVID-19 for the two months before quarantine and during quarantine. Inclusion criteria were: age > 18; diagnosis of migraine without aura, migraine with aura, and chronic migraine; last in-person visit in the 3 months before the beginning of the quarantine. RESULTS A total of 433 migraine subjects agreed to be interviewed. We found an overall reduction in headache frequency and days with acute medication intake during the quarantine as compared to pre-quarantine. Reduction in headache frequency prevailed in patients reported more days of effective staying at home. Improvement was not evident in northern Italy. Disgust against viral infection corresponded to a reduced improvement in migraine parameters. CONCLUSIONS. Migraine patients showed a resilient behavior toward the pandemic distress. Disgust against the contagious disease, could increase migraine frequency. ssue.