Cognitive flexibility among female migraine patients: case-control study

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine if cognition is affected in female migraine sufferers by comparing cognitive domains with a healthy control group. Materials and Methods: Fifty patients with migraine and 50 healthy controls (all female) were enrolled in this cross-sectional case-control study. The Beck Depression test, Beck Anxiety test, California Verbal Learning Test, Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale, and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) were performed in both groups. Results: Using a multivariate logistic regression model of migraine, WCST non-perseverative error (odds ratio [OR], 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.028-2.568; p = 0.03), WCST percent of perseverative error (OR, 0.23; 95%CI, 0.071-0.786; p = 0.01), WCST perseverative response (OR, 4.55; 95%CI, 1.272-16.298; p = 0.02), no alcohol consumption (OR, 0.006; 95%CI, 0.000-0.943; p = 0.04), family history of hypertension (OR, 4.46; 95%CI, 1.114-17.915; p = 0.03), family history of migraine (OR, 4.028; 95%CI, 1.027-15.799; p = 0.04), and no family history of stroke (OR, 0.034; 95%CI, 0.003-0.448; p = 0.01) were significant factors Conclusion: Among WCST scores, non-perseverative error provides insight into the patient's problem solving ability. Meanwhile, percent perseverative error and perseverative response scores provide insight into cognitive flexibility ability. Therefore, in our study group, patients with migraine show better problem solving and cognitive flexibility ability than the healthy control group.