Investigating the interplay of chronotypes, neuropsychiatric dimensions, demographic and clinical characteristics and disability in migraine patients: A cross-sectional assessment

The study investigated associations between chronotypes (Morning [M], Neither [N], Evening [E]), sociodemographic characteristics, body mass index (BMI), smoking habits, years with migraines, sleep quality (PSQI), anxiety (HADS-A), depression (HADS-D), migraine disability (MIDAS), headache frequency, and pain intensity (VAS) in 80 individuals with migraine. Significant age differences emerged (<i>p</i> < 0.001), with M-types being the oldest. BMI also varied, with M-types presenting the highest median BMI (<i>p</i> = 0.005). While migraine duration and headache frequency showed no significant variance, sleep quality did, with E-types reporting the poorest sleep (<i>p</i> = 0.030). Anxiety and depression were significantly worse in E-types (HADS-A: <i>p</i> = 0.002; HADS-D: <i>p</i> = 0.010). Differences in MIDAS levels were notable (<i>p</i> = 0.038); however, differences in MIDAS scores were not significant (p = 0.115). Pain intensity varied, with E-types experiencing the most severe pain (p = 0.009). Post-hoc analysis showed higher MIDAS scores in E-types compared to N-types (χ² = 6.56, p = 0.038, ε² = 0.0831). The findings highlight the need for thorough patient evaluations and tailored care, considering the complex interplay of factors affecting migraine severity, particularly among different chronotypes.