The Contribution of Youth Self-Report (YSR) in the Diagnosis of Psychiatric Comorbidity of Juvenile Primary Headache Disorders

Objective: There is conflicting evidence about the frequency and the best evaluation method of psychiatric co morbidity in juvenile primary headache disorders. There are also few data about sensitivity and specificity standardized self report tests (i.e. YSR) in the process of psychiatric co morbidity diagnosis in this group of youth. In order to determine comorbid psychiatric disorders and relationship between psychiatric co morbidity and YSR sub scores, as a worldwide test of child practice, in a primary headache disorders group of children and adolescents, we performed this clinical based prospective study. Method: Children were evaluated by the same specialists for the ICHD-II based headache diagnosis and DSM-IV criteria. Participants were clinically examined and filled out a questionnaire in which self-reported psychosocial functioning was assessed on standardized measures, including the Youth Self-Report (YSR), Child Beck Depression Inventory (CBDI), Trait-State Anxiety Inventory (STAI-C) and Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale (PHCSCS) supported by face to face interview when it needed. Additionally at least one parents of the subjects have been evaluated by the same psychiatrist for psychiatric co morbidities. Using appropriate statistics results were evaluated. Results: Totally 112 patients were evaluated and 58.9% of them were girls. Headache diagnoses were migraine (14.3%), tension type headache (57.1%) and others (28.6%). It was determined 18% of patient's co-morbid psychiatric diagnosis, predominantly depression and anxiety disorders. Conclusions: We concluded in this study that headache subtypes and psychiatric disorders can be seen together. It should be considered this co morbidity for headache coping strategies.