Personality in chronic headaches: A systematic review with meta-analysis

Dataset refers to a systematic review on the personality traits associated to Chronic Headache (CH) compared to healthy controls and to a quantitative meta-analysis with the studies using the same instrument to assess personality traits. Thirteen studies were included in the systematic review but only three studies were deeply explored in a meta-analysis since the only ones using a common instrument to assess personality dimensions. According to the results of the meta-analysis, different subtypes of CH patients scored higher than healthy controls on Hypochondriasis and Hysteria scales highlighting that these personality traits are common across CH categories. The systematic review showed higher levels of depressive and anxious personality dimensions and pain catastrophizing in CH compared to healthy controls. Moreover, frequent-chronic forms and Medication Overuse Headache were the most symptomatic and frail categories showing higher levels of dysfunctional personality traits and psychopathological symptoms