Is the presence of neck pain associated with more severe clinical presentation in patients with migraine? A cross-sectional study

To investigate the association between the presence of self-reported neck pain in patients with migraine and clinical features, upper cervical mobility, and neck muscle performance.A total of 142 patients with migraine were recruited and stratified by the presence (n = 99) or absence of self-reported neck pain (n = 43). The clinical examination included the Migraine Disability Assessment, the 12-item Allodynia Symptom Checklist, a flexion rotation test, and the Craniocervical Flexion Test.Migraine-related disability was reported by more than 80% in both groups (p = 0.82). However, there was a greater prevalence and severity of cutaneous allodynia observed in the group with neck pain (p < 0.001). Reduced upper cervical mobility was verified in 67% of the patients with neck pain and in 41% of those without neck pain (p = 0.005). In addition, 67% of the patients with neck pain and 40% without neck pain were not able to maintain the third stage of the Craniocervical Flexion Test without compensation (p = 0.003).The presence of self-reported neck pain in patients with migraine was associated with a poor clinical presentation regarding cutaneous allodynia, neck mobility, and muscle function. However, there were no differences in migraine-related disability.