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Disability from posttraumatic headache is compounded by coexisting posttraumatic stress disorder
Louise S Roper1,2,3, Peter Nightingale4, Zhangjie Su5,6
1Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham.
Background:
Posttraumatic headache (PTH) occurs in up to 82% of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs in 39% of those with PTH. This study evaluates whether PTSD affects PTH disability.
Methods:
Eighty-six patients with TBI were prospectively evaluated in a secondary care trauma center. Headache disability was assessed using the Headache Impact Test version 6 and signs indicative of PTSD using the PTSD Check List Civilian version.
Results:
Increased PTSD-type symptoms were significantly associated with increased headache disability (p<0.001), as were employment status and loss of consciousness (p=0.049 and 0.016, respectively). Age was negatively correlated with headache disability (Spearman's correlation rho=0.361, p=0.001).
Conclusion:
Increased severity of PTSD-type symptoms is significantly associated with increased headache disability in patients with chronic PTH. Managing PTSD symptoms in patients with chronic PTH may facilitate headache management.
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