Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 2, 2026

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
Migraine prevalence in inflammatory bowel disease patients: A tertiary-care centre cross-sectional study
X Moisset1,2, G Bommelaer3,4, M Boube3,4
1Université Clermont Auvergne, Inserm, Neuro-Dol, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
Background:
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are systemic, chronic inflammatory conditions that predominately affect the gastrointestinal tract and can induce abdominal pain. Besides, many IBD patients complain about headaches in daily practice. The objective was to assess the prevalence of headaches, including migraines and pain with neuropathic characteristics (NC), in IBD patients compared to historical controls from the general population.
Methods:
Overall, 203 consecutive tertiary-care centre patients completed validated self-administered questionnaires and benefitted from a clinical evaluation performed by an IBD physician at the same time.
Results:
In our cohort, 75% of the patients experienced pain in the previous 3 months. Migraine prevalence was two-fold higher in IBD patients compared to the general population (41% vs. 21.3%, p < 0.001). Migraine was associated with a younger age, female gender and higher depression scores. Although migraine impact was very important for 30% of the patients (61/203), specific acute therapeutics were prescribed in only 22% of cases (18/83). Chronic pain with NC was more frequent than in the general population (11.3% vs. 6.9%, p = 0.012) and was strongly associated with the presence of extra-intestinal manifestations (p < 0.001). Abdominal pain concerned 19% of the patients during the previous week and was, as expected, associated with disease activity.
Conclusions:
Migraine prevalence is strongly increased in IBD patients followed in tertiary care. A systematic screening for migraine should be done by IBD physicians in daily practice to provide adequate therapeutics. Further studies are needed to confirm whether migraine should be classified as IBD extra-intestinal manifestations.
Significance:
Migraine prevalence was two-fold higher in IBD patients compared to the general population, was generally poorly treated and a systematic screening for migraine should be done by IBD physicians in daily practice to provide adequate therapeutics.
Related Concept Videos
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management
Pharmacologic...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome I: Introduction
IBS is a chronic condition that can persist over a long period or recur frequently.
The pathogenesis of IBS involves a complex interplay of the following factors:
Altered...

