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3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
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Clinical Correlates of Osmophobia in Primary Headaches: An Observational Study in Child Cohorts

Vittorio Sciruicchio1, Daniela D'Agnano1, Livio Clemente2

  • 1Children Epilepsy and EEG Center, San Paolo Hospital, 70132 Bari, Italy.

Journal of Clinical Medicine
|April 28, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Osmophobia, or smell sensitivity, is common in children with primary headaches, particularly migraines. Its presence indicates a more severe migraine condition with increased disability and psychological distress.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Headache Medicine
  • Clinical Psychology

Background:

  • Primary headaches, especially migraines, significantly affect children's health, academics, and quality of life.
  • Osmophobia (aversion to odors) is a potential diagnostic marker for migraine and its associated disability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of osmophobia in children diagnosed with primary headaches.
  • To explore the association between osmophobia and migraine-related disability, psychological factors, and clinical features in pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

  • A multicenter observational cross-sectional study involving 645 children (aged 8-15) with primary headaches.
  • Data collected included headache characteristics, pericranial tenderness, allodynia, and osmophobia.
  • Migraine-related disability, anxiety, depression, and pain catastrophizing were assessed in migraineurs.

Main Results:

  • Osmophobia was present in 28.8% of children with primary headaches, with a 35% prevalence in migraine patients.
  • Migraine patients with osmophobia exhibited a more severe clinical profile, including higher disability, anxiety, depression, and allodynia.
  • Statistical analysis showed a significant association between osmophobia and a severe clinical picture (F Roy square 10.47, p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

  • Osmophobia is a prevalent symptom in pediatric primary headaches, particularly migraines.
  • The presence of osmophobia may identify a specific migraine phenotype associated with increased disability and psychological distress.
  • Further prospective studies are warranted to understand the bio-behavioral allostatic model underlying osmophobia in pediatric migraines.

Keywords:
allodyniachildhooddisabilitymigraineosmophobiaprimary headaches

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