Social cognition in chronic migraine with medication overuse: a cross-sectional study on different aspects of mentalization and social relationships

• Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain
• Main Authors: Sara Bottiroli, Alessia Rosi, Grazia Sances, Marta Allena, Roberto De Icco, Serena Lecce, Tomaso Vecchi, Cristina Tassorelli, Elena Cavallini
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2023
• Subjects: Chronic migraine; Medication overuse headache; Theory of mind; Socio-cognitive dimensions; Medicine; R; Tromsø
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-023-01578-1; https://doaj.org/article/19a30693779448a39a08d88d63ca0df7

Abstract Background Social cognition refers to all mental operations to decipher information needed in social interactions. Here we aimed to outline the socio-cognitive profile of Chronic Migraine with Medication Overuse (CM + MO), given they are recognized to be at risk of socio-cognitive difficulties. Given the multidimensionality of this construct, we considered: (1) socio-cognitive abilities, (2) socio-cognitive beliefs, (3) alexithymia and autism traits, and (4) social relationships. Methods Seventy-one patients suffering from CM + MO, 61 from episodic migraine (EM), and 80 healthy controls (HC) were assessed with a comprehensive battery: (1) the Faux Pas test (FP), the Strange Stories task (SS), the Reading Mind in the Eyes test (RMET), (2) the Tromsø Social Intelligence Scale, (3) the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the Autism Spectrum Quotient, (4) the Lubben Social Network Scale, the Friendship Scale. Results CM + MO: (1) performed similar to EM but worse than HC in the FP and SS, while they were worse than EM and HC in the RMET; (2) were similar to EM and HC in social intelligence; (3) had more alexithymic/autistic traits than EM and HC; (4) reported higher levels of contact with their family members but felt little support from the people around them than HC. Conclusions CM + MO results characterized by a profile of compromised socio-cognitive abilities that affects different dimensions. These findings may have a relevant role in multiple fields related to chronic headache: from the assessment to the management.