Headaches after concussion in US soldiers returning from Iraq or Afghanistan

Headache. 2010 Sep;50(8):1262-72. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2010.01700.x. Epub 2010 Jun 10.

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the prevalence, characteristics, impact, and treatment patterns of headaches after concussion in US Army soldiers returning from a deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a cohort of soldiers undergoing postdeployment evaluation during a 5-month period at the Madigan Traumatic Brain Injury Program at Ft. Lewis, WA. All soldiers screening positive for a deployment-related concussion were given a 13-item headache questionnaire.

Results: A total of 1033 (19.6%) of 5270 returning soldiers met criteria for a deployment-related concussion. Among those with a concussion, 957 (97.8%) reported having headaches during the final 3 months of deployment. Posttraumatic headaches, defined as headaches beginning within 1 week after a concussion, were present in 361 (37%) soldiers. In total, 58% of posttraumatic headaches were classified as migraine. Posttraumatic headaches had a higher attack frequency than nontraumatic headaches, averaging 10 days per month. Chronic daily headache was present in 27% of soldiers with posttraumatic headache compared with 14% of soldiers with nontraumatic headache. Posttraumatic headaches interfered with duty performance in 37% of cases and caused more sick call visits compared with nontraumatic headache. In total, 78% of soldiers with posttraumatic headache used abortive medications, predominantly over-the-counter analgesics, and most perceived medication as effective.

Conclusions: More than 1 in 3 returning military troops who have sustained a deployment-related concussion have headaches that meet criteria for posttraumatic headache. Migraine is the predominant headache phenotype precipitated by a concussion during military deployment. Compared with headaches not directly attributable to head trauma, posttraumatic headaches are associated with a higher frequency of headache attacks and an increased prevalence of chronic daily headache.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Afghanistan / epidemiology
  • Blast Injuries / epidemiology*
  • Blast Injuries / physiopathology
  • Brain Concussion / epidemiology*
  • Brain Concussion / physiopathology
  • Cohort Studies
  • Comorbidity / trends
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Headache / classification
  • Headache / diagnosis
  • Headache / epidemiology*
  • Humans
  • Iraq / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Military Personnel* / psychology
  • Warfare*