Evaluation of the Frequency and Intensity of Osmophobia Between Headache Attacks in Migraine Patients Through an Osmophobia Diary

Abstract

Background: Our objective was to determine the frequency and intensity of osmophobia between headache attacks in migraine patients through an osmophobia diary.

Phenytoin in the Treatment of Osmophobia in Migraine Patient: A Case Report

“…Although osmophobia is not a diagnostic criterion for migraine, many studies show that this symptom is highly prevalent and is useful to differentiate migraine from tension-type headache [1,4,5,7,8,13]. Such as headache, osmophobia affects the quality of life of migraine patients and hinders the performance of their professional activities, especially in those who work in environments with strong odors, such as in perfumery, gas station and the selling of insecticide or beauty products [10,11]. Many drugs are used to prevent headache attacks [14][15][16], but unfortunately, there is no specific treatment for osmophobia.…”

“…The patient remained without osmophobia for the following two years. The improvement of patient was accompanied through an osmophobia diary [11], which is an important diagnostic tool for the evaluation of all characteristics inherent in osmophobia, such as association with headache, frequency and intensity. In this diary, it is used a visual analog scale (VAS) to classify the intensity of osmophobia as VAS 1-4 (mild), VAS 5-7 (moderate), VAS 8-9 (severe), and VAS 10 (very severe).…”

“…The literature of its occurrence in secondary headaches is very scarce [9]. They are triggers of headache attacks [2,10] or intolerance factor (osmophobia) [1] both during and between headache attacks (pain-free period) [1,3,11,12].…”

“…In migraine patients, prevalence of osmophobia during the headache attacks ranges from 20.0% to 81.7% [1,3,5,6,8,13] and in the period between headache attacks, this prevalence ranges from 24.0% to 53.3% [1,3,11,12]. Several categories of drugs are used in migraine prophylaxis, such as beta-adrenergic blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, calcium channel blockers, serotonergic antagonist, antiepileptics, and others [14][15][16].…”

Headache and Osmophobia in Gas Station Workers Exposed to Gasoline Odor

“…In primary headaches, headache attacks may be triggered by several factors, such as stress, eating habits, sleep deprivation, light stimuli, menstrual changes and odors, especially in migraine patients [1][2][3][4]. In addition, many patients complain of odor intolerance (osmophobia) both during headache attacks and in the pain-free period [5][6][7][8].…”