Tad Seifert1, Alicia Sufrinko2, Robert Cowan3, W Scott Black4, Dave Watson5, Bill Edwards6, Scott Livingston7, Keith Webster8, David Akers9, Mathew Lively10, Anthony P Kontos2. 1. Norton Healthcare, Louisville, Kentucky. 2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh. 3. Department of Neurology, Stanford University. 4. Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Kentucky. 5. Department of Neurology, West Virginia University. 6. Department of Athletics, Western Kentucky University. 7. Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center. 8. Department of Athletics, University of Kentucky. 9. Department of Statistics, University of Kentucky. 10. Department of Medicine and Pediatrics, West Virginia University.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of primary headache disorders in the general population provides a unique challenge in the evaluation of headache occurring in the context of sport. Despite a wealth of studies exploring the epidemiology of headache in the layperson, little is known about the prevalence and nature of headaches in collegiate student-athletes. These scenarios are challenging in the return to play context, as it is often unclear whether an athlete has an exacerbation of a primary headache disorder, new onset headache unrelated to trauma, or has suffered a concussive injury. PURPOSE: To establish the prevalence and nature of headaches in collegiate student-athletes. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional survey. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey evaluated the characteristics and prevalence of headache in 834 student-athletes from four NCAA Division-I institutions. Because headache occurrence may vary by sport (collision, contact, non-contact), by sex, and medical history, our sample included male and female athletes in a variety of sports, with differing degrees of contact exposure. The 20 question survey collected data on personal and family history of headache, as well as concussion history. RESULTS: A total of 23.7% (n = 198) of participants reported having a personal history of migraine, 25.2% (n = 210) history of sinus headache, and 12.3% (n = 103) history of tension type headache. Among athletes with a prior history of concussion, 46.3% (n = 25) of females reported a history of migraine, while only 32.2% of males reported history of migraine (χ2 = 3.421, P = .064). CONCLUSIONS: The etiology of increased prevalence of migraine in our study is unclear. Whether this is due to increased awareness of headache disorders, a consequence of contact exposure, or a predisposition for migraine development in this age group remains unclear. Further studies are indicated.
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of primary headache disorders in the general population provides a unique challenge in the evaluation of headache occurring in the context of sport. Despite a wealth of studies exploring the epidemiology of headache in the layperson, little is known about the prevalence and nature of headaches in collegiate student-athletes. These scenarios are challenging in the return to play context, as it is often unclear whether an athlete has an exacerbation of a primary headache disorder, new onset headache unrelated to trauma, or has suffered a concussive injury. PURPOSE: To establish the prevalence and nature of headaches in collegiate student-athletes. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional survey. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey evaluated the characteristics and prevalence of headache in 834 student-athletes from four NCAA Division-I institutions. Because headache occurrence may vary by sport (collision, contact, non-contact), by sex, and medical history, our sample included male and female athletes in a variety of sports, with differing degrees of contact exposure. The 20 question survey collected data on personal and family history of headache, as well as concussion history. RESULTS: A total of 23.7% (n = 198) of participants reported having a personal history of migraine, 25.2% (n = 210) history of sinus headache, and 12.3% (n = 103) history of tension type headache. Among athletes with a prior history of concussion, 46.3% (n = 25) of females reported a history of migraine, while only 32.2% of males reported history of migraine (χ2 = 3.421, P = .064). CONCLUSIONS: The etiology of increased prevalence of migraine in our study is unclear. Whether this is due to increased awareness of headache disorders, a consequence of contact exposure, or a predisposition for migraine development in this age group remains unclear. Further studies are indicated.
Authors: Laura Kathleen Langer; Mark Theodore Bayley; David Wyndham Lawrence; Paul Comper; Alice Kam; Alan Tam; Cristina Saverino; Catherine Wiseman-Hakes; Lesley Ruttan; Tharshini Chandra; Evan Foster; Jonathan Gladstone Journal: Cephalalgia Date: 2022-05-11 Impact factor: 6.075
Authors: Matilde Capi; Leda Marina Pomes; Giulia Andolina; Martina Curto; Paolo Martelletti; Luana Lionetto Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-04-09 Impact factor: 3.390