Skip to main content
Top
Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain 1/2022

Open Access 01-12-2022 | Insomnia | Research article

Post-traumatic headache after mild traumatic brain injury in a one-year follow up study – risk factors and return to work

Authors: Yvonn Kraemer, Kaisa Mäki, Ivan Marinkovic, Taina Nybo, Harri Isokuortti, Antti Huovinen, Antti Korvenoja, Susanna Melkas, Hanna Harno

Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain | Issue 1/2022

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Post-traumatic headache (PTH) is a common symptom following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Patients at risk to develop acute PTH (aPTH) and further persistent PTH (pPTH) need to be recognized.

Methods

This is a one-year follow-up of 127 patients with mTBI, aged 18 to 68, referred to outpatient clinic in the Helsinki University Hospital. Symptoms were assessed at the emergency department (ED), with structured interview at outpatient clinic visit and with Rivermead post-concussion symptom questionnaire at one, three, and 12 months after injury. Psychiatric disorders were assessed with Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I disorders at 3-4 months and return to work (RTW) from patient records.

Results

At one month, 77/127 patients (61%) had aPTH. According to multiple logistic regression analysis, risk factors for aPTH were headache at the emergency department (ED) (OR 5.43), other pain (OR 3.19), insomnia (OR 3.23), and vertigo (OR 5.98). At three months, 17 patients (22% of aPTH patients) had developed pPTH, and at one year, 4 patients (24% of pPTH patients) still presented with pPTH. Risk factors for pPTH at three months were older age (OR 1.06) and current insomnia (OR 12.3). The frequency of psychiatric disorders did not differ between the groups. pPTH patients performed worse on their RTW.

Conclusions

Risk factors for aPTH were insomnia, headache at ED, other pain, and vertigo and for pPTH, insomnia and older age. RTW rate was lower among pPTH patients.
Literature
2.
go back to reference Cassidy JD, Carroll LJ, Peloso PM et al (2004) Incidence, risk factors and prevention of mild traumatic brain injury: results of the WHO Collaborating Centre Task Force on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. J Rehabil Med Suppl 43:28–60CrossRef Cassidy JD, Carroll LJ, Peloso PM et al (2004) Incidence, risk factors and prevention of mild traumatic brain injury: results of the WHO Collaborating Centre Task Force on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. J Rehabil Med Suppl 43:28–60CrossRef
3.
go back to reference Levin HS, Diaz-Arrastia RR (2015) Diagnosis, prognosis and clinical management of mild traumatic brain injury. Lancet Neurol 14:506–517CrossRef Levin HS, Diaz-Arrastia RR (2015) Diagnosis, prognosis and clinical management of mild traumatic brain injury. Lancet Neurol 14:506–517CrossRef
4.
go back to reference Peeters W, van den Brande R, Polinder S et al (2015) Epidemiology of traumatic brain injury in Europe. Acta Neurochir 157:1683–1696CrossRef Peeters W, van den Brande R, Polinder S et al (2015) Epidemiology of traumatic brain injury in Europe. Acta Neurochir 157:1683–1696CrossRef
5.
go back to reference Lucas S, Hoffman JM, Bell KR et al (2014) A prospective study of prevalence and characterization of headache following mild traumatic brain injury. Cephalalgia 34(2):93–102CrossRef Lucas S, Hoffman JM, Bell KR et al (2014) A prospective study of prevalence and characterization of headache following mild traumatic brain injury. Cephalalgia 34(2):93–102CrossRef
6.
go back to reference Nordhaug LH, Vik A, Hagen K et al (2016) Headaches in patients with previous head injuries: A population-based historical cohort study (HUNT). Cephalalgia 36(11):1009–1019CrossRef Nordhaug LH, Vik A, Hagen K et al (2016) Headaches in patients with previous head injuries: A population-based historical cohort study (HUNT). Cephalalgia 36(11):1009–1019CrossRef
7.
go back to reference Stacey A, Lucas S, Dikmen S et al (2017) Natural history of headache five years after traumatic brain injury. J Neurotrauma 34:1558–1564CrossRef Stacey A, Lucas S, Dikmen S et al (2017) Natural history of headache five years after traumatic brain injury. J Neurotrauma 34:1558–1564CrossRef
8.
go back to reference Nampiaparampil DE (2008) Prevalence of the chronic pain after traumatic brain injury: A systematic review. JAMA 300(6):711–719CrossRef Nampiaparampil DE (2008) Prevalence of the chronic pain after traumatic brain injury: A systematic review. JAMA 300(6):711–719CrossRef
9.
go back to reference Åhman S, Saveman BI, Styrke J et al (2013) Long-term follow-up of patients with mild traumatic brain injury: a mixed-method study. J Rehabil Med 45:758–764CrossRef Åhman S, Saveman BI, Styrke J et al (2013) Long-term follow-up of patients with mild traumatic brain injury: a mixed-method study. J Rehabil Med 45:758–764CrossRef
10.
go back to reference Yilmaz T, Roks G, de Koning M et al (2017) Risk factors and outcomes associated with post-traumatic headache after mild traumatic brain injury. Emerg Med J 34:800–805CrossRef Yilmaz T, Roks G, de Koning M et al (2017) Risk factors and outcomes associated with post-traumatic headache after mild traumatic brain injury. Emerg Med J 34:800–805CrossRef
11.
go back to reference Kontos AP, Elbin RJ, Lau B et al (2013) Posttraumatic Migraine as a predictor of recovery and cognitive impairment after sport-related concussion. Am J Sports Med 41(7):1497–1504CrossRef Kontos AP, Elbin RJ, Lau B et al (2013) Posttraumatic Migraine as a predictor of recovery and cognitive impairment after sport-related concussion. Am J Sports Med 41(7):1497–1504CrossRef
12.
go back to reference Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society (IHS) (2018) ; 38(1):1-211 Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society (IHS) (2018) ; 38(1):1-211
13.
go back to reference Kjeldgaard D, Forchhammer H, Teasdale T et al (2014) Chronic post-traumatic headache after mild head injury: A descriptive study. Cephalalgia 34(3):191–200CrossRef Kjeldgaard D, Forchhammer H, Teasdale T et al (2014) Chronic post-traumatic headache after mild head injury: A descriptive study. Cephalalgia 34(3):191–200CrossRef
14.
go back to reference Ashina H, Iljazi A, Al-Khazali HM et al (2020) Persistent post-traumatic headache attributed to mild traumatic brain injury: Deep phenotyping and treatment patterns. Cephalalgia 40(6):554–564CrossRef Ashina H, Iljazi A, Al-Khazali HM et al (2020) Persistent post-traumatic headache attributed to mild traumatic brain injury: Deep phenotyping and treatment patterns. Cephalalgia 40(6):554–564CrossRef
15.
go back to reference Ashina H, Porreca F, Anderson T et al (2019) Post-traumatic headache: epidemiology and pathophysiological insights. Nat Rev Neurol 15(10):607–617CrossRef Ashina H, Porreca F, Anderson T et al (2019) Post-traumatic headache: epidemiology and pathophysiological insights. Nat Rev Neurol 15(10):607–617CrossRef
16.
go back to reference Lambru G, Benemei S, Andreou AP et al (2021) Position Paper on Post-Traumatic Headache: The Relationship Between Head Trauma, Stress Disorder, and Migraine. Pain Ther 10:1–13CrossRef Lambru G, Benemei S, Andreou AP et al (2021) Position Paper on Post-Traumatic Headache: The Relationship Between Head Trauma, Stress Disorder, and Migraine. Pain Ther 10:1–13CrossRef
17.
go back to reference Hoffman JM, Lucas S, Dikmen S et al (2011) Natural history of headache after traumatic brain injury. J Neurotrauma 28:1719–1725CrossRef Hoffman JM, Lucas S, Dikmen S et al (2011) Natural history of headache after traumatic brain injury. J Neurotrauma 28:1719–1725CrossRef
18.
go back to reference Piantino J, Lim MM, Newgard CD et al (2019) Linking Traumatic Brain Injury, Sleep Disruption, and Post-Traumatic Headache: a Potential Role for Glymphatic Pathway Dysfunction. Curr Pain Headache Rep 23(62):1–11 Piantino J, Lim MM, Newgard CD et al (2019) Linking Traumatic Brain Injury, Sleep Disruption, and Post-Traumatic Headache: a Potential Role for Glymphatic Pathway Dysfunction. Curr Pain Headache Rep 23(62):1–11
19.
go back to reference Dresler T, Caratozzolo S, Guldolf K et al (2019) Understanding the nature of psychiatric comorbidity in migraine: a systematic review focused on interactions and treatment implications. J Headache Pain 20:51CrossRef Dresler T, Caratozzolo S, Guldolf K et al (2019) Understanding the nature of psychiatric comorbidity in migraine: a systematic review focused on interactions and treatment implications. J Headache Pain 20:51CrossRef
20.
go back to reference Van der Naalt J, Timmerman ME, de Koning ME et al (2017) Early predictors of outcome after mild traumatic brain injury (UPFRONT): an observational cohort study. Lancet Neurol 16:532–540CrossRef Van der Naalt J, Timmerman ME, de Koning ME et al (2017) Early predictors of outcome after mild traumatic brain injury (UPFRONT): an observational cohort study. Lancet Neurol 16:532–540CrossRef
21.
go back to reference King NS, Crawford S, Wenden FJ et al (1995) The Rivermead Post Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire: A measure of symptoms commonly experienced after head injury and its reliability. J Neurol 242(9):587–592CrossRef King NS, Crawford S, Wenden FJ et al (1995) The Rivermead Post Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire: A measure of symptoms commonly experienced after head injury and its reliability. J Neurol 242(9):587–592CrossRef
22.
go back to reference First BM, Spritzer RL, Gibbon M et al (1997) Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I), Clinician version (Administration booklet). Amer Psychiatric Pub Inc First BM, Spritzer RL, Gibbon M et al (1997) Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I), Clinician version (Administration booklet). Amer Psychiatric Pub Inc
23.
go back to reference Marinkovic I, Isokuortti H, Huovinen A et al (2020) Prognosis after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Influence of Psychiatric Disorders. Brain Sci 10:916CrossRef Marinkovic I, Isokuortti H, Huovinen A et al (2020) Prognosis after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Influence of Psychiatric Disorders. Brain Sci 10:916CrossRef
24.
go back to reference Holm L, Cassidy JD, Carroll LJ et al (2005) Summary of the WHO Collaborating Centre For Neurotrauma Task Force on Mild Traumatic Brain injury. J Rehabil Med 37(3):137–141CrossRef Holm L, Cassidy JD, Carroll LJ et al (2005) Summary of the WHO Collaborating Centre For Neurotrauma Task Force on Mild Traumatic Brain injury. J Rehabil Med 37(3):137–141CrossRef
25.
go back to reference Lieba-Samal D, Platzer P, Seidel S et al (2011) Characteristics of acute posttraumatic headache following mild head injury. Cephalalgia 31(16):1618–1626CrossRef Lieba-Samal D, Platzer P, Seidel S et al (2011) Characteristics of acute posttraumatic headache following mild head injury. Cephalalgia 31(16):1618–1626CrossRef
26.
go back to reference Ouellet MC, Beaulieu-Bonneau S, Morin CM (2006) Insomnia in patients with traumatic brain injury: frequency, characteristics, and risk factors. J Head Trauma Rehabil 21(3):199–212CrossRef Ouellet MC, Beaulieu-Bonneau S, Morin CM (2006) Insomnia in patients with traumatic brain injury: frequency, characteristics, and risk factors. J Head Trauma Rehabil 21(3):199–212CrossRef
27.
go back to reference Voormoolen DC, Haagsma JA, Polinder S et al (2019) Post-concussion Symptoms in Complicated vs Uncomplicated Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Patients at Three and Six-months Post-injury: Results from the CENTER-TBI Study. Journal of Clinical Medicine 8:1921 Voormoolen DC, Haagsma JA, Polinder S et al (2019) Post-concussion Symptoms in Complicated vs Uncomplicated Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Patients at Three and Six-months Post-injury: Results from the CENTER-TBI Study. Journal of Clinical Medicine 8:1921
28.
go back to reference Nordhaug LH, Linde M, Follestad T et al (2019) Change in Headache Suffering and Predictors of Headache after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Population-Based, Controlled, Longitudinal Study with Twelve- Month Follow-Up. J Neurotrauma 36(23):3244–3252CrossRef Nordhaug LH, Linde M, Follestad T et al (2019) Change in Headache Suffering and Predictors of Headache after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Population-Based, Controlled, Longitudinal Study with Twelve- Month Follow-Up. J Neurotrauma 36(23):3244–3252CrossRef
29.
go back to reference Dumke HA (2017) Posttraumatic Headache and Its Impact on Return to Work After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. J Head Trauma Rehabil 32(2):E55–E65CrossRef Dumke HA (2017) Posttraumatic Headache and Its Impact on Return to Work After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. J Head Trauma Rehabil 32(2):E55–E65CrossRef
30.
go back to reference Stulemeijer M, van der Werf S, Borm GF et al (2008) Early prediction of favourable recovery 6 months after mild traumatic brain injury. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 79:936–942CrossRef Stulemeijer M, van der Werf S, Borm GF et al (2008) Early prediction of favourable recovery 6 months after mild traumatic brain injury. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 79:936–942CrossRef
31.
go back to reference Schwedt TJ, Chong CD, Peplinski J et al (2017) Persistent post-traumatic headache vs. migraine: an MRI study demonstrating differences in brain structure. J Headache Pain 18(1):87CrossRef Schwedt TJ, Chong CD, Peplinski J et al (2017) Persistent post-traumatic headache vs. migraine: an MRI study demonstrating differences in brain structure. J Headache Pain 18(1):87CrossRef
Metadata
Title
Post-traumatic headache after mild traumatic brain injury in a one-year follow up study – risk factors and return to work
Authors
Yvonn Kraemer
Kaisa Mäki
Ivan Marinkovic
Taina Nybo
Harri Isokuortti
Antti Huovinen
Antti Korvenoja
Susanna Melkas
Hanna Harno
Publication date
01-12-2022
Publisher
Springer Milan
Published in
The Journal of Headache and Pain / Issue 1/2022
Print ISSN: 1129-2369
Electronic ISSN: 1129-2377
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-022-01398-9

Other articles of this Issue 1/2022

The Journal of Headache and Pain 1/2022 Go to the issue