Are There Gender Differences in Neck Pain and Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Cervical Spine Associated with Migraine?

Author(s)

Xavier, Nathan da Silva ^[1] ; Benatto, Mariana Tedeschi ^[1] ; Florencio, Lidiane Lima ^[2] ; Fernandez-de-las-Penas, Cesar ^[2] ; Dach, Fabiola ^[3] ; Bevilaqua-Grossi, Debora ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Dept Hlth Sci, Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Rey Juan Carlos, Dept Phys Therapy Occupat Therapy Rehabil & Phys, Atenas Ave, Alcorcon 28922 - Spain

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Dept Neurosci & Behav Sci, Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PAIN MEDICINE; v. 22, n. 12, p. 3021-3029, DEC 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate gender differences in clinical characteristics of migraine by examining presence and severity of cutaneous allodynia, migraine-related disability, neck pain and its associated disability, passive mobility of the upper cervical spine, and performance of the deep neck flexor muscles. Design. Cross-sectional study. Subjects. 30 men and 30 women with migraine. Methods. Participants responded to the questionnaires Migraine Disability Assessment questionnaire, 12-item Allodynia Symptom Checklist, and Neck Disability Index. The mobility of the upper cervical spine was assessed by using the Flexion-Rotation Test. Performance of the deep neck flexor muscles was evaluated by applying the Craniocervical Flexion Test. Comparison of the groups was carried out by using the Student's t-test or the chi(2) test. The prevalence ratio was also calculated. Results. Women showed a higher prevalence of cutaneous allodynia (P = .001) and a 4 times greater risk of having severe cutaneous allodynia than to men (P = 0.007). No gender differences were observed in migraine-related disability (P = .08). Women showed higher prevalence of self-reported neck pain (P = .03) and increased risk of having this symptom in comparison to men (Prevalence Ratio = 1.69; P = 0.025). However, there were no gender differences in neck pain-related disability (P = .25), mobility of the upper cervical spine (P = .92), or performance of the deep neck flexor muscles (P = .52). Conclusion. Women with migraine had a higher frequency of self-reported neck pain and higher prevalence and severity of cutaneous allodynia when compared to men. However, the two groups did not differ regarding neck painrelated disability and performance in the physical tests. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/24303-6 - Is there a difference between the sexes in the characteristics of cervical pain and in the musculoskeletal dysfunction of the cervical spine associated with migraine?
• Grantee: Nathan da Silva Xavier
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation