Central Sensitization in Migraine: A Narrative Review

Figures & data

Table 1 Central Sensitization-Related diseases^6,9

Restless legs syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome

Fibromyalgia

Temporomandibular joint disorder

Migraine

Tension type headaches

Irritable bowel syndrome

Multiple chemical sensitivity

Table 2 Clinical Studies on Central Sensitization in Patients with Migraine

Authors (Years)	Sample	Methods for CS Evaluation	Conclusion
Suzuki et al,^Citation4 (2021)	551 patients with neurological, psychological, and pain disorders including 234 patients with migraine or tension-type headache	A case-controlled study using CSI	CSI score was associated with pain severity, pain interference with daily activities, and depressive symptoms.
Suzuki et al,^Citation52 (2021)	186 patients with migraine and 186 age- and sex-matched healthy controls	A case-controlled study using CSI	CS was more prevalent in migraine patients than in controls (21.0% vs 8.6%). The determinants of CS in migraine patients were restless legs syndrome and interference of headache pain with daily activities.
Danno et al,^Citation54 (2022)	164 patients with migraine	A cross-sectional study using CSI	CS was observed in 32.3% of migraine patients and was related to cranial parasympathetic symptoms such as lacrimation, aural fullness, nasal blockage, and rhinorrhea,
Suzuki et al,^Citation56 (2022)	95 patients with migraine	A cross-sectional study using CSI and QEESI	Multiple chemical sensitivity was found in 20% of migraine patients and was related to CS, photophobia, osmophobia, visual aura, sensory aura, higher migraine-related disability and Kessler Psychological Distress scores.

Note: CSI scores ≥ 40 were defined as having CS.

Abbreviations: CS, central sensitization; CSI, central sensitization inventory; QEESI, the quick environment exposure sensitivity inventory.

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