Chronic migraine (CM) and fibromyalgia (FM) are central sensitization pain conditions, with FM representing a prototypical nociplastic disorder. While both involve altered pain processing, their psychological profiles may differ, particularly in comorbid forms. In this cross-sectional multicenter study, 318 women were assessed: 97 with CM (Mage = 47.4 ± 12.9), 130 with FM (Mage = 49.8 ± 12.1), and 91 with CM+FM (Mage = 49.9 ± 9.9). Participants completed standardized self-reports of depression, anxiety, psychological distress, and defensive functioning. Women with CM showed more preserved affective regulation, whereas FM and CM+FM did not differ significantly. Cluster analysis identified three phenotypes: vulnerable (n = 73; 16% CM, 43% FM, 41% CM+FM), intermediate (n = 122; 32% CM, 43% FM, 25% CM+FM), and resilient (n = 76; 50% CM, 29% FM, 21% CM+FM). CM patients were mainly represented in the resilient cluster, while CM+FM patients were overrepresented in the vulnerable cluster. These findings indicate distinct psychological functioning in CM compared to FM and highlight greater psychological complexity in comorbid cases. Overall, results support a dimensional, transdiagnostic model of chronic pain, underscoring psychological functioning as a central factor for personalized care.
Beyond Pain: Psychological Profiles in Chronic Migraine Compared With Fibromyalgia and Their Comorbidity / Cangelosi, M., Cavicchioli, M., Mesce, M., Torelli, A., Benfante, A., Romeo, A., Nimbi, F.M., Castelli, L., Ghiotto, N., Sances, G., De Icco, R., Tassorelli, C., Sarzi‐puttini, P., Di Franco, M., Iannucceli, C., Tanzilli, A., Galli, F., Bottiroli, S.. - In: ANNALS OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. - ISSN 0077-8923. - 1560:1(2026). [10.1111/nyas.70304]
Beyond Pain: Psychological Profiles in Chronic Migraine Compared With Fibromyalgia and Their Comorbidity
Cavicchioli, Marco;Mesce, Martina;Torelli, Alessandro;Romeo, Annunziata;Tassorelli, Cristina;di Franco, Manuela;Tanzilli, Annalisa;Galli, Federica;
2026
Abstract
Chronic migraine (CM) and fibromyalgia (FM) are central sensitization pain conditions, with FM representing a prototypical nociplastic disorder. While both involve altered pain processing, their psychological profiles may differ, particularly in comorbid forms. In this cross-sectional multicenter study, 318 women were assessed: 97 with CM (Mage = 47.4 ± 12.9), 130 with FM (Mage = 49.8 ± 12.1), and 91 with CM+FM (Mage = 49.9 ± 9.9). Participants completed standardized self-reports of depression, anxiety, psychological distress, and defensive functioning. Women with CM showed more preserved affective regulation, whereas FM and CM+FM did not differ significantly. Cluster analysis identified three phenotypes: vulnerable (n = 73; 16% CM, 43% FM, 41% CM+FM), intermediate (n = 122; 32% CM, 43% FM, 25% CM+FM), and resilient (n = 76; 50% CM, 29% FM, 21% CM+FM). CM patients were mainly represented in the resilient cluster, while CM+FM patients were overrepresented in the vulnerable cluster. These findings indicate distinct psychological functioning in CM compared to FM and highlight greater psychological complexity in comorbid cases. Overall, results support a dimensional, transdiagnostic model of chronic pain, underscoring psychological functioning as a central factor for personalized care.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
