Complex regional pain syndrome triggers migraines in majority of patients

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Two out of three adults diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) will experience new or worsening migraines, with one in five patients suffering near-daily headaches.

A new study from Murdoch University has established a direct connection between CRPS and headaches. It found the debilitating conditions often occur on the same side of the body with overlapping symptoms.

The study, “Complex regional pain syndrome and migraine: Clinical relationships and possible common aetiology,” is published in Cephalagia.

The study of 88 adult CRPS patients from Perth, Western Australia, found 66% of participants reported migraines that had started or gotten worse after the onset of CRPS. 22% had headaches almost every day.

Professor Peter Drummond from Murdoch University’s School of Psychology said the research was an important step toward more effective treatment of these debilitating conditions.

“We found that migraine headaches often began or got worse after the injury that triggered CRPS. There seemed to be a direct connection between the limb injury and the headaches as they were often on the same side of the body and symptoms overlapped. That is, one condition may feed the other.

“Unfortunately, many people with CRPS face the prospect of enduring a lifetime of pain because understanding is poor and treatment options are limited.

“We hope that greater recognition of the link between CRPS and migraine will clarify understanding of both conditions and will result in more effective treatment of headaches and a better quality of life for people with CRPS.

“It is crucial that we clarify our understanding of the mechanisms that drive chronic pain so that more effective treatments can be developed.”

CRPS and migraine symptoms, such as limb pain, sensitivity to light and touch, and forehead tenderness often appear on the same side of the body.

The research supports the idea that the injury that sparks CRPS may increase sensitivity to pain long-term, which then fuels both migraine and CRPS symptoms. Over time, the two conditions may worsen each other.

The study recommends screening for migraine in CRPS clinics and screening for CRPS signs in headache clinics as practical considerations for clinicians and supports integrated management of the conditions.

Migraine is the most common neurological condition in Australia, affecting 1.7 million people and has been estimated to cost the economy tens of billions of dollars in health system costs and lost productivity.

While complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a rare but serious condition that occasionally develops after a limb injury such as a fracture or sprain, pain can persist for months or years and may spread away from the site of injury as time goes on.

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