A recent in-depth study by the University of Toronto has shed light on the severe mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on older adults suffering from migraine.
The research utilised data from over 2,000 elderly individuals with migraine, part of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, to track changes in their depression status throughout the pandemic. The findings revealed that over 14% of these individuals encountered depression for the first time due to the pandemic. In contrast, around 50% of those with a previous history of depression saw a recurrence during this challenging period.
“Individuals with migraine are particularly susceptible to negative mental health outcomes like depression,” commented Esme Fuller-Thomson, the study’s lead researcher and a professor at the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work (FIFSW) as well as the director of the Institute for Life Course & Aging (ILCA). “The pandemic brought with it increased stressors including interruptions to medical treatments and healthcare services, compelling us to examine their impact on the mental well-being of migraine sufferers.”
The study identified specific risk factors for depression to understand better which subgroups of migraine sufferers were most at risk during the pandemic. One notable finding was that increased familial discord during the pandemic posed a significant risk, elevating the chances of developing depression by five times and tripling the risk of depression recurrence.
“Many families faced heightened tensions and disagreements during lockdown periods, which reduced access to vital stress relief resources such as outdoor physical activities and social interactions with friends. These factors significantly contributed to the mental health struggles observed during the pandemic,” explained Andie MacNeil, a PhD student at FIFSW and co-author of the study.
The research also highlighted other pandemic-related stressors linked to the onset of depression among older adults with migraine, such as difficulties in accessing healthcare services. “Before the pandemic, accessing comprehensive healthcare was already a significant challenge for those suffering from migraine,” stated Aneisha Taunque, another co-author and a research assistant at the Institute for Life Course and Aging. “The situation deteriorated during the pandemic, likely exacerbating the mental health issues within this group.”
Furthermore, the study found that increased caregiving responsibilities and related challenges approximately doubled the risk of developing depression. “Caregiving is particularly demanding for individuals dealing with severe pain like that caused by migraines, and many reported an increase in their caregiving duties during the pandemic,” mentioned Ying Jiang, a Senior Epidemiologist at the Public Health Agency of Canada and co-author of the study.
Sarah Leo, a recent MSW graduate from FIFSW, Dr. Grace Li, a former research associate at ILCA, and Margaret de Groh, a retired scientific manager at the Public Health Agency of Canada, contributed additional contributions to the study.
The researchers stressed the need for continued investigation into the depression rates among migraine sufferers. “It’s crucial to determine whether the spikes in depression rates were a temporary phenomenon driven by pandemic-related stressors, or if they represent a longer-term trend,” Fuller-Thomson concluded. “Understanding these patterns will enable us to develop targeted screening and interventions for individuals with migraine.”
More information: MacNeil A et al, The Mental Health Toll of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Older Adults with Migraine: A Prospective Analysis of Depression Using the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, Journal of Pain Research. DOI: 10.2147/JPR.S469798
Journal information: Journal of Pain Research Provided by University of Toronto
