MIGRAINE MONITORING IN THE TIME OF COVID-19: TRIGGERS AND PROTECTORS DURING A PANDEMIC.

di Cola, Francesca Schiano; Caratozzolo, Salvatore; Di Cesare, Marco; Liberini, Paolo; Rao, Renata; Padovani, Alessandro

OBJECTIVE Aim of the present observational study was to assess the impact of COVID-19 quarantine on migraine and evaluate potential influencing factors. Previous studies reported mixed results regarding clinical outcome during quarantine in patients with migraine. In particular, data from areas strongly affetcted by COVID-19 pandemic are missing. METHODS One-hundred and seventy patients, previously assessed at the Headache Centre - ASST Spedali Civili Brescia, underwent a telephonic interview regarding migraine features and clinical, occupational and lifestyle variables. RESULTS Compared to baseline, during quarantine, we found a significant overall reduction in migraine days (14.7±0.6 vs 12.3±0.7, p <0.001), with 47.1% patients reporting a clinical improvement. Outdoor living spaces (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.7-3.07, p = 0.009), a positive attitude throughout quarantine (OR 4.12, 95% CI 2.3-7.1, p = 0.03), working full-time (OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.5-1.9, p < 0.001) and a baseline diagnosis of chronic migraine (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-2.02, p = 0.002) were associated with an increased chance of migraine improvement. Being single (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1-2.01, p = 0.05) and physical inactivity (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1-1.6, p = 0.02) were associated with an increased risk of worsening. CONCLUSIONS Quarantine had an overall positive impact on migraine. Based on our results, we hypothesize the reduction of daily hassles and challenges might be the main reason for such improvement.