Clinical Manifestations

Migraine is a highly prevalent and disabling neurological disorder with substantial socioeconomic impact, classified as with/without aura and episodic/chronic based on episode frequency. Chronic migraine patients show greater disability, higher psychiatric comorbidity, and worse neuropsychological outcomes. Cognitive dysfunction, often persisting beyond pain resolution, is a recognized component of migraines. Up to 30% of patients report subjective cognitive complaints (SCC) during the prodromal phase and 38% during the painful phase. SCC refers to perceived cognitive deficits not consistently reflected in neuropsychological testing. This study aims to compare cognitive complaint reports based on migraine type (with/without aura, episodic/chronic) and levels of disability in migraine patients with normal Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores. Additionally, it analyzes the comorbidity of anxiety and depression.

This cross-sectional, multicenter study invited patients diagnosed with migraine based on ICHD-3 criteria.

disease duration >1 year, age 30-60 years, MoCA (Argentinean version) score ≥25.

other neuropsychiatric conditions, other chronic pain disorders, or use of cannabis, opioids, or corticosteroids. All participants provided informed consent. Instruments administered: Argentinean version of Cognitive Complaints Questionnaire (CCQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire.

A total of 42 patients were included: mean age 42.8±9.11 years, mean education 14.6±3.31 years; 88.1% were women. Regarding migraine type: 59.5% had migraines without aura, 71.4% had episodic migraines; mean disease duration 13.7±11.1 years. MIDAS disability levels: no/minimal (35.7%), mild (21.4%), moderate (14.3%), severe (28.6%). CCQ scores showed no significant differences between patients with aura (24.1±13.1) and without aura (29.1±15.4; p = 0.26), or between those with episodic (26.2±14.6) and chronic migraines (29.1±14.9; p = 0.57). Similarly, CCQ scores based on MIDAS disability levels were as follows: 20.4±13.6 for no/minimal, 29.9±12.7 for mild, 29.7±17.8 for moderate, and 31.9±13.9 for severe disability (p = 0.20). HADS anxiety and depression subscales showed no significant differences by migraine type or disability levels, but higher scores were observed as disability increased.

Migraine is associated with disability and impacts cognitive and emotional health. No significant differences in SCC were observed based on migraine type or disability levels. The study is ongoing for a deeper understanding of these factors.