Association between serum calcium concentrations and neuropsychological symptoms of migraine patients in early pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Both migraine patients and women in early pregnancy are prone to neuropsychological problems. However, the precise impact of migraine on maternal mental health during early pregnancy is insufficiently comprehended. Calcium is essential for emotional regulation and mental health, with pregnant women being particularly vulnerable to calcium deficiency. It is still uncertain whether serum calcium levels during early pregnancy are associated with the onset or intensity of migraine and neuropsychological symptoms. METHODS: A cross sectional study was used to analyze the differences of neuropsychological symptoms and the serum concentrations of calcium ions, parathyroid hormone, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D in early pregnancy among pregnant women with migraine compared to those without migraine. Furthermore, correlation analyses were performed to evaluate the relationships between the serum concentrations of calcium ions, parathyroid hormone, 25-hydroxyvitamin D and neuropsychological traits within the migraine cohort. RESULTS: Pregnant women with migraine in early pregnancy exhibited significantly higher somatization symptoms as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15). Migraine occurrence was associated with exacerbated emotional disturbances, particularly anxiety and depression, and poorer sleep quality. Furthermore, these women had lower serum calcium levels. Lower calcium levels were associated with greater severity of pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbance items on the PHQ-15. Serum calcium concentrations were negatively correlated with total scores on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), with particularly strong associations observed for the PSQI subdomains of subjective sleep quality, sleep efficiency, and daytime dysfunction. CONCLUSION: Women with migraine in early pregnancy frequently face additional neuropsychological difficulties. A negative correlation was identified between serum calcium levels and diverse neuropsychological symptoms. These findings are correlational and require confirmation in prospective or interventional studies.