Prevalence and treatment of headaches in veterans with mild traumatic brain injury

(Headache 2011;51:1112‐1121) Objectives.— To report the prevalence and characteristics of headaches in veterans with mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to describe most common treatment strategies after neurological evaluation. Methods.— We conducted a retrospective cohort study. The setting was a United States Veterans Healthcare Administration Polytrauma Network Site. The study participants consisted of 246 veterans with confirmed diagnosis of mild TBI. The main outcome measures were: Self‐reported head pain occurring 30 days prior to initial mild TBI screening; headache severity measured by the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory; headache characteristics; and treatment prescribed by neurologists. Results.— The majority (74%) of veterans with a confirmed diagnosis of mild TBI (N = 246), due largely to blast exposure, reported headaches in the 30 days preceding the initial mild TBI evaluation. Thirty‐three percent of these veterans (N = 81) were referred to neurology for persistent headaches. Of the 56 veterans attending the neurology evaluation, 45% were diagnosed with migraine headaches and 20% with chronic daily headaches. The most commonly used abortive agents were triptans (68%) and the most common preventive medications were anticonvulsants (55%) and tricyclics (40%). Conclusion.— There was an increased prevalence of headaches in veterans with mild TBI. Most of the TBI veterans in our study group were exposed to blast injury and findings indicate that the nature of head trauma may be contributing to headaches. Findings highlight the need for developing effective headache prevention and treatment strategies for all persons with mild TBI and in particular for veterans with blast‐related mild TBI.     

PTSD, Combat Injury, and Headache in Veterans Returning From Iraq/Afghanistan

Objective.— To examine the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder, combat injury, and headache in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom veterans at the VA San Diego Healthcare System. Background.— Previous investigations suggest that a relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder and primary headache disorders exists and could be complicated by the contribution of physical injury, especially one that results in loss of consciousness. These associations have not been systematically examined in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom veterans. Methods.— In this observational cross‐sectional study, a battery of self‐report, standardized questionnaires was completed by 308 newly registered veterans between March and October 2006. The Davidson Trauma Scale was used to determine the degree of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and combat‐related physical injury was assessed by self‐report. The presence of headache was based on a symptom checklist measure and self‐reported doctor diagnoses. Logistic regression analysis was performed to predict presence of headache and determine odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals associated with demographic, military, in‐theatre, and mental health characteristics. Results.— About 40% of the veterans met the criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder; 40% self‐reported current headache, 10% reported a physician diagnosis of migraine, 12% a physician diagnosis of tension‐type headache, and 6% reported both types of headache. Results from the logistic regression model indicated that combat‐related physical injury (odds ratio: 2.25; 95% confidence interval: 1.17‐4.33) and posttraumatic stress disorder (odds ratio: 4.13; 95% confidence interval: 2.44‐6.99) were independent predictors of self‐reported headache. Additional analyses found that veterans with both tension and migraine headache had higher rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (chi‐square [d.f. = 3] = 15.89; P = .001) whereas veterans with migraine headache alone had higher rates of combat‐related physical injury (chi‐square [d.f. = 9] = 22.00; P = .009). Conclusion.— Posttraumatic stress disorder and combat‐related physical injury were related to higher rates of self‐reported headache in newly returning veterans. Our finding that posttraumatic stress disorder and injury during combat are differentially related to migraine and tension‐type headache, point to a complex relationship between physical and psychological trauma and headache. These findings have implications for a comprehensive approach to interventions for headache and the physical and psychological sequelae of trauma.     

Management of post‐traumatic headaches in children and adolescents

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) occur in an estimated 475,000 children aged 0–14 each year. Worldwide, mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) represent around 75–90% of all hospital admissions for TBI. mTBI are a common occurrence in children and adolescents, particularly in those involved in athletic activities. An estimated 1.6–3.8 million sports‐related TBIs occur each year, including those for which no medical care is sought. Headache is a common occurrence following TBI, reported in as many as 86% of high school and college athletes who have suffered from head trauma. As most clinicians who manage concussion and post‐traumatic headaches (PTHs) can attest, these headaches may be difficult to treat. There are currently no established guidelines for the treatment of PTHs, especially when persistent, and practices can vary widely from one clinician to the next. Making medical management more challenging, there are currently no randomized controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of therapies for PTHs in children and adolescents.     

Post‐Traumatic Headaches in Civilians and Military Personnel: A Comparative,Clinical Review

Post‐traumatic headache (PTH) is the most frequent symptom after traumatic brain injury (TBI). We review the epidemiology and characterization of PTH in military and civilian settings. PTH appears to be more likely to develop following mild TBI (concussion) compared with moderate or severe TBI. PTH often clinically resembles primary headache disorders, usually migraine. For migraine‐like PTH, individuals who had the most severe headache pain had the highest headache frequencies. Based on studies to date in both civilian and military settings, we recommend changes to the current definition of PTH. Anxiety disorders such as post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are frequently associated with TBI, especially in military populations and in combat settings. PTSD can complicate treatment of PTH as a comorbid condition of post‐concussion syndrome. PTH should not be treated as an isolated condition. Comorbid conditions such as PTSD and sleep disturbances also need to be treated. Double‐blind placebo‐controlled trials in PTH population are necessary to see whether similar phenotypes in the primary headache disorders and PTH will respond similarly to treatment. Until blinded treatment trials are completed, we suggest that, when possible, PTH be treated as one would treat the primary headache disorder(s) that the PTH most closely resembles.     

Expanding the Scope of Staff Education: Brain Injury to Polytrauma

Staff members who care for the polytrauma population need diverse educational programs even if they have many years of experience working in the brain‐injury rehabilitation field. This article explores key concepts that help guide rehabilitation nursing practice, strengthen clinical skills, increase family involvement, and identify educational resources.     

Treatment outcomes of chronic post-traumatic headaches after mild head trauma in US soldiers: an observational study

(Headache 2011;51:932‐944) Background.— The effectiveness of medical therapies for chronic post‐traumatic headaches (PTHs) attributable to mild head trauma in military troops has not been established. Objective.— To determine the treatment outcomes of acute and prophylactic medical therapies prescribed for chronic PTHs after mild head trauma in US Army soldiers. Methods.— A retrospective cohort study was conducted with 100 soldiers undergoing treatment for chronic PTH at a single US Army neurology clinic. Headache frequency and Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) scores were determined at the initial clinic visit and then again by phone 3 months after starting headache prophylactic medication. Response rates of headache abortive medications were also determined. Treatment outcomes were compared between subjects with blast‐related PTH and non‐blast PTH. Results.— Ninety‐nine of 100 subjects were male. Seventy‐seven of 100 subjects had blast PTH and 23/100 subjects had non‐blast PTH. Headache characteristics were similar for blast PTH and non‐blast PTH with 96% and 95%, respectively, resembling migraine. Headache frequency among all PTH subjects decreased from 17.1 days/month at baseline to 14.5 days/month at follow‐up (P = .009). Headache frequency decreased by 41% among non‐blast PTH compared to 9% among blast PTH. Fifty‐seven percent of non‐blast PTH subjects had a 50% or greater decline in headache frequency compared to 29% of blast PTH subjects (P = .023). A significant decline in headache frequency occurred in subjects treated with topiramate (n = 29, ?23%, P = .02) but not among those treated with a low‐dose tricyclic antidepressant (n = 48, ?12%, P = .23). Seventy percent of PTH subjects who used a triptan class medication experienced reliable headache relief within 2 hours compared to 42% of subjects using other headache abortive medications (P = .01). Triptan medications were effective for both blast PTH and non‐blast PTH (66% response rate vs 86% response rate, respectively; P = .20). Headache‐related disability, as measured by mean MIDAS scores, declined by 57% among all PTH subjects with no significant difference between blast PTH (?56%) and non‐blast PTH (?61%). Conclusions.— Triptan class medications are usually effective for aborting headaches in military troops with chronic PTH attributed to a concussion from a blast injury or non‐blast injury. Topiramate appears to be an effective headache prophylactic therapy in military troops with chronic PTH, whereas low doses of tricyclic antidepressants appear to have little efficacy. Chronic PTH triggered by a blast injury may be less responsive to commonly prescribed headache prophylactic medications compared to non‐blast PTH. These conclusions require validation by prospective, controlled clinical trials.     

Headaches After Concussion in US Soldiers Returning From Iraq or Afghanistan

(Headache 2010;50:1262‐1272) 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.