Characterization of persistent post-traumatic headache and management strategies in adolescents and young adults following mild traumatic brain injury

Simple F. Kothari*, Peter Preben Eggertsen, Oana-Veronica Frederiksen, Mille Thastum Møller, Susanne Wulff Svendsen, Astrid Tuborgh, Erhard Trillingsgaard Næss-Schmidt, Charlotte Ulrikka Rask, Andreas Bak Schröder, Helge Kasch, Jørgen Feldbæk Nielsen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaperJournal articleResearchpeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Characteristics of persistent post-traumatic headache (PTH) in young individuals are poorly known leading to diagnostic problems and diverse management. We aimed to describe headache phenotypes and self-reported management strategies in young individuals with PTH following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). A comprehensive structured questionnaire was used to evaluate headache phenotypes/characteristics and management strategies to relieve headache in 107, 15-30-year-old individuals with PTH. Around 4 months post-injury, migraine-like headache in combination with tension-type like headache (40%) was the most commonly encountered headache phenotype followed by migraine-like headache (36%). Around 50% reported aura-like symptoms before/during the headache attack. Medication-overuse headache was diagnosed in 10%. Stress, sleep disturbances, and bright lights were the most common trigger factors. More than 80% reported that their headache was worsened by work-related activity and alleviated by rest/lying down. Simple analgesics were commonly used (88%) whereas prophylactic drugs were rarely used (5%). Bedrest and physiotherapy were also commonly used as management strategies by 56% and 34% of the participants, respectively. In conclusion, most young individuals with PTH after mTBI presented with combined migraine-like and tension-type-like headache followed by migraine-like headache, only. Preventive headache medication was rarely used, while simple analgesics and bedrest were commonly used for short-term headache relief.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2209
JournalScientific Reports
Volume12
Issue1
Number of pages11
ISSN2045-2322
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2022

Keywords

  • AURA
  • CHILDREN
  • IMPACT
  • KINEMATICS
  • MIGRAINE
  • NATURAL-HISTORY
  • POST-CONCUSSION SYMPTOMS
  • RISK
  • US SOLDIERS
  • WOMEN

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