New Study Reveals Increased Suicide Risk Among Headache Disorder Patients

A comprehensive cohort study conducted in Denmark has uncovered a significant association between headache disorders and an elevated risk of both attempted and completed suicide. Researchers from Aarhus University analyzed data from over 119,000 individuals diagnosed with various headache disorders, including migraine, tension-type headaches, posttraumatic headaches, and trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias, over a span of 25 years.

Headaches are a prevalent health issue, affecting approximately two-thirds of the global population. They frequently coincide with psychiatric conditions, which has led to previous studies indicating a possible link between migraines and increased suicidal ideation. However, the relationship between other types of headaches and suicide risk had not been thoroughly investigated until now.

The findings, published in the journal JAMA Neurology, highlight the urgent need for further research into the mental health implications for individuals suffering from headache disorders. The study involved Danish citizens aged 15 and older who received their first headache diagnosis between 1995 and 2020. These individuals were matched with a control group of nearly 600,000 people without a headache diagnosis, using a 5-to-1 ratio.

Results indicated that those diagnosed with headaches exhibited a 15-year absolute risk of 0.78% for attempting suicide, in contrast to 0.33% among matched controls--a risk differential of 0.45%. The absolute risk for completed suicide among headache patients was 0.21%, compared to 0.15% in the control group, resulting in a 0.06% difference. Moreover, the adjusted hazard ratios revealed that individuals with headache disorders were more than twice as likely to attempt suicide and had a 40% higher chance of completing suicide when compared to their non-headache counterparts.

Specifically, the study found that:

• Migraine sufferers had an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.71 for attempted suicide and 1.09 for completed suicide.
• Individuals with tension-type headaches showed an HR of 1.91 for attempted suicide and 1.44 for completed suicide.
• Posttraumatic headache patients faced an HR of 3.14 for attempts and 3.22 for completions.
• Those diagnosed with trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias had an HR of 1.97 for attempted suicide and 2.40 for completed suicide.

The study also noted that patients with headache disorders often have higher rates of comorbid medical and psychiatric conditions, such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke, mood disorders, and substance use disorders. Even when controlling for these additional diagnoses, the association between headaches and increased suicide risk persisted across various demographics, including sex, age, income, and education level.

These findings underscore the importance of early assessment and targeted behavioral health interventions for individuals diagnosed with headache disorders, particularly those co-occurring with psychiatric conditions. Mental health professionals are encouraged to consider the potential suicide risk when treating patients suffering from headaches.

For further details, the full study is available in JAMA Neurology, and it emphasizes the critical intersection of headache disorders and mental health, calling for greater awareness and proactive measures to address this serious issue.