Acute effects of concussion in youth with pre-existing migraines

Model System:

TBI

Reference Type:

Journal article

Accession No.:

J82655

Journal:

Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

2019 , , ,

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Study investigated the relationships between pre-existing migraines and acute (within 72 hours) symptoms and cognitive performance after a suspected concussion. From a total of 39,161 adolescent athletes who underwent baseline preseason testing, 633 were assessed within 3 days of a suspected concussion. Of these, 59 (9.3 percent) reported a history of treatment for migraines at baseline. Each participant with preinjury migraine was individually matched to 2 injured youth without a migraine disorder (118 injury controls) based on age, sex, concussion history, and sport. Outcome measures included the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale total score, the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) composite scores, and individual symptom endorsement. Individuals with a pre-existing migraine disorder endorsed greater symptom severity compared with controls at preinjury baseline and acutely after suspected injury. Acutely after a suspected concussion, greater proportions of athletes with migraine disorders reported mental fogginess (49.2 vs 33.9 percent) and memory problems (39.0 vs 24.6 percent). Baseline ImPACT composite scores were similar between migraine and control groups. Adolescents with pre-existing migraine disorders performed worse after a suspected concussion compared with the control participants on verbal memory and visual memory. The findings suggest that individuals with pre-existing migraine disorders may be at higher risk for worse outcomes, including greater overall burden of symptoms and worse cognitive functioning in the memory domain, in the first 72 hours after concussion.

Author(s):