Common Migraine versus Daily Chronic Headache: A Study of the Relationship Between Depression and Anxiety Scores,and Dexamethasone Suppression Test

Abstract

To achieve a better understanding of CH and DCH, we used a multidisciplinary approach evaluating both the depression and anxiety scores and the ability of DEX to decrease plasma cortisol levels in patients with these two forms of headache. The Hamilton rating scale for depression, the Zung test for depression and Stai ×2 for anxiety showed scores within the control range in both groups of patients without any statistically significant difference between the groups. The DEX test showed significant cortisol suppression in both groups of patients either at 8 a.m. or at 4 p.m. (after DEX administration, 1 mg orally at 11 p.m. The night before). The results obtained indicate that in CM and in DCH, normal depression and anxiety scores exist in the present of the apparent integrity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.