Characteristics of post-traumatic headaches following mild traumatic brain injury in military personnel

Abstract

This study evaluated the prevalence and characteristics of posttraumatic headaches attributed to mild brain injury in military personnel in Isfahan. Methods: A prospective, observational, descriptive study was conducted with a cohort of military personnel in military training during a 6-month period at the Military Training Center in Isfahan, Iran. A total of 322 military personnel were selected randomly and given a 13-item mild brain injury questionnaire and headache questionnaire, and reevaluated after a 3-month period. Results: A total of 30 (9.3%) of the 322 military personnel met the criteria for a mild brain injury. Among them, 18 personnel (60%) reported headaches during the 3-month re-evaluation. PTHs were defined as headaches beginning within 1-week after a head trauma and were present in 5.6% of military personnel during the 6-month study period; 67% of PTHs were classified as migrainous or having possible migrainous features. Patients with disorders such as PTSD and depression were at a higher risk for developing PTH following mild brain injury (p<0.05). PTH did not relate to demographic factors such as age or type of trauma. Conclusions: PTH attributed to mild brain injury is a common disorder in military personnel. Migrainous features are predominant among them when compared to the general population. PTH is not related to a particular type of trauma, but is associated with affective disorders.