Is Migraine Headache Associated with Concussion in Athletes? A Case-Control Study

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between migraine headache and concussion in athletes.

DESIGN: Case-control observational study.

SETTING: A university-associated combined sports neurology and orthopedic sports medicine clinic.

PARTICIPANTS: A total of 221 male (n = 140) and female (n = 81) athletes aged 12 to 24 years, including 115 concussion cases (52%) and 106 orthopedic controls (48%), were included in this study.

INTERVENTIONS: Participants completed a one-page questionnaire that recorded their age, sex, reason for visit (concussion vs any other injury), concussion history, and self/immediate family member migraine headache history.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The odds of having a previous history of migraine headache were compared in the concussion group versus orthopedic controls.

RESULTS: Controlling for between-group differences in age and sex, there was a significant positive association between concussion group status and history of migraine headache [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 1.90; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.03-3.50. P = 0.039]. However, when including a previous concussion history in the statistical model, this relationship failed to reach significance [adjusted OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 0.89-3.16. P = 0.107].

CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that there is an association between migraine headache and concussion in athletes, but the cause-effect nature of this relationship cannot be determined. Migraine headache should be considered a modifying factor when caring for concussed athletes.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-2017

Notes/Citation Information

Published in Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, v. 27, issue 3.

© 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1097/jsm.0000000000000346

Funding Information

Dr. Eckner received partial effort support during this project from the Rehabilitation Medicine Scientist Training Program and the National Institutes of Health (1 K23 HD078502). His active research funding includes the National Institutes of Health (1 K23 HD078502), the National Collegiate Athletics Association, the United States Department of Defense (14132004), the University of Michigan Injury Center, and the Foundation for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

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