☆ 4.7 Article

Frequency and phenotype of headache in covid-19: a study of 2194 patients

SCIENTIFIC REPORTS (2021)

Journal

SCIENTIFIC REPORTS

Volume 11, Issue 1, Pages -

Publisher

NATURE PORTFOLIO

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94220-6

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Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII) [07.04.467804.74011.0]
Regional Health Administration, Gerencia Regional de Salud, Castilla y Leon [GRS: 2289/A/2020]

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Abstract

Headache occurred in 23.4% of patients with confirmed COVID-19, being more intense in females. Headache was the most frequent first symptom of COVID-19, with characteristics of being bilateral with pressing quality and typically lasting for 7 days.

To estimate the frequency of headache in patients with confirmed COVID-19 and characterize the phenotype of headache attributed to COVID-19, comparing patients depending on the need of hospitalization and sex, an observational study was done. We systematically screened all eligible patients from a reference population of 261,431 between March 8 (first case) and April 11, 2020. A physician administered a survey assessing demographic and clinical data and the phenotype of the headache. During the study period, 2194 patients out of the population at risk were diagnosed with COVID-19. Headache was described by 514/2194 patients (23.4%, 95% CI 21.7-25.3%), including 383/1614 (23.7%) outpatients and 131/580 (22.6%) inpatients. The headache phenotype was studied in detail in 458 patients (mean age, 51 years; 72% female; prior history of headache, 49%). Headache was the most frequent first symptom of COVID-19. Median headache onset was within 24 h, median duration was 7 days and persisted after 1 month in 13% of patients. Pain was bilateral (80%), predominantly frontal (71%), with pressing quality (75%), of severe intensity. Systemic symptoms were present in 98% of patients. Headache frequency and phenotype was similar in patients with and without need for hospitalization and when comparing male and female patients, being more intense in females.Trial registration: This study was supported by the Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII), code 07.04.467804.74011 and Regional Health Administration, Gerencia Regional de Salud, Castilla y Leon (GRS: 2289/A/2020).

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Characterization of Headache in COVID-19: a Retrospective Multicenter Study

Rafael Cesar dos Anjos de Paula, Thais de Maria Frota Vasconcelos, Francisco Bruno Santana da Costa, Lara Albuquerque de Brito, Danielle Mesquita Torres, Alissa Elen Formiga Moura, Danilo Nunes Oliveira, Guilherme Alves de Lima Henn, Pedro Gustavo Barros Rodrigues, Isabelle de Sousa Pereira, Ianna Lacerda Sampaio Braga, Felipe Araujo Rocha, Norberto Anizio Ferreira Frota, Fernanda Martins Maia Carvalho, Milena Sales Pitombeira, Jose Wagner Leonel Tavares-Junior, Raquel Carvalho Montenegro, Pedro Braga-Neto, Paulo Ribeiro Nobrega, Manoel Alves Sobreira-Neto

Summary: Headache is a common neurological symptom in COVID-19 patients, with characteristics including frontal or holocranial pressure pain that worsens with cough or physical activity. These headaches tend to appear early in the course of the illness and last for days, but there are no specific features that distinguish COVID-19 associated headaches from other causes.

MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY (2021)