Chronotypes in menstrual migraine: a case–control study

Migraine attacks have a seasonal, menstrual and circadian periodicity, suggesting a role of chronobiological mechanisms probably related to a hypothalamic involvement. The aim of the study was to evaluate the chronotypes in patients with menstrual migraine, a migraine sub-type with a cyclical recurrence compared to normal female. Ninety-three patients with ICHD-II diagnosis of pure menstrual migraine and menstrually-related migraine were recruited and compared to 85 age-matched healthy women. The Italian version of Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire was administered to identify circadian preference of our participants. No differences were found regarding the distribution of chronotypes in patients with menstrual migraine and healthy controls. The study did not confirm the presence of a morning and evening preference among migraineurs as previously reported.