Model System:

TBI

Reference Type:

Journal

Accession No.:

J73506

Journal:


Headache

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

, 54, 3, 511-519

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Study examined self-reported medical treatment and effectiveness of the treatment for headache in the first year following mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). Data were collected from 167 participants admitted to a level 1 trauma hospital with mild TBI who were prospectively enrolled and reported new or worse headache at 3, 6, or 12 months after injury. Participants were primarily male (75 percent), white (75 percent), injured in vehicle crashes (62 percent), and had completed high school (83 percent). The majority of headaches met the diagnostic criteria for migraine/probable migraine, followed by tension-type headache. Despite the diverse nature of headaches, more than 70 percent of those with headache at each time period used acetaminophen or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug for headache control. Only 8 percent of those with the migraine/probable migraine phenotype used triptans. Of those individuals who used medication, 26 percent of those with migraine/probable migraine phenotype and 70 percent of those with tension headache phenotype endorsed complete relief (versus partial or no relief) because of medication use. The majority of individuals with tension headache reported never taking medication. Results indicate that headaches after mild TBI are frequent and are not optimally treated. The findings suggest that many individuals with mild TBI may be self-treating their headaches by utilizing over-the-counter pain relief medications. These medications, however, are only providing effective treatment for a minority of this population.

Author(s):


DiTommaso, Craig, Hoffman, Jeanne M., Lucas, Sylvia, Dikmen, Sureyya, Temkin, Nancy, Bell, Kathleen R.