Possible association between photic sneeze syndrome and migraine and psychological distress

Abstract

Background: Photic sneeze syndrome (PSS) is a condition that causes sneezing when the eye is exposed to sudden bright light. Because alterations in the parasympathetic and trigeminal nerve systems have been implicated in PSS, and such systems are involved in migraine and stress-related disorders, we examined the possible associations of PSS with migraine and psychological distress.

Methods: The presence of PSS and migraine was examined in 11 840 participants from the general population using a self-report questionnaire. Psychological distress was assessed by the 6-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6).

Results: The overall prevalence of PSS was 3.1%. Individuals with PSS were more likely to suffer from migraine (odds ratio = 1.97, P = 2.18 × 10^-9 ), clinically relevant psychological distress (K6 score ≥ 5: odds ratio = 1.40, P = 0.00143), and severe psychological distress (K6 score ≥ 13: odds ratio = 1.49, P = 0.0486). Overall, K6 scores were significantly higher in those with PSS than in those without (P = 0.000013). Analysis controlling for sex and the presence of migraine showed that PSS was associated with higher K6 scores irrespective of sex or the presence of migraine.

Conclusions: The low prevalence of PSS identified in the present study may be due to the inadequate ability of the self-report questionnaire to identify PSS. Despite such limitation, the present study suggests that individuals with PSS are more likely to suffer from migraine and psychological distress than those without PSS. PSS may be a potential target for the research of migraine and stress-related disorders.

Keywords: migraine; neuropsychology; photic sneeze reflex; psychological distress; trigeminal nerve.