Uncovering Demographic, Clinical, Triggering Factors Similarities Between Migraine and Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Prospective Study.

The objective was to uncover demographical and clinical factors associated with migraine and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in a group of patients experiencing both painful disorders and to identify their triggering factors. A prospective study was performed between January 2016 and June 2017. Clinical characteristics and potential generating factors for both pathologies were then assessed using validated questionnaires. Our study showed that the percentage of patients diagnosed with migraine and having IBS was 34.3%. Compared with patients with migraine alone, patients having both diseases were identified with higher prevalence of concomitant chronic/psychiatric diseases, lower frequency of migraine attacks, and lower prevalence of throbbing/distressing/enervating pain and concentration difficulties than patients with migraine alone. Moreover, patients in this subgroup had moderate abdominal pain intensity, and constipation was the predominant stool type. Finally, some dietary and environmental factors seem to be significantly important triggering factors of migraine/IBS pain.