Headaches and the use of personal protective equipment in the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Introduction Headaches associated with personal protective equipment were reported in health-care workers in previous epidemiological studies. Methods National web-based survey advertised by the Portuguese Headache Society and National Headache and Migraine patient´s organization between September-December 2020 screening for personal protective equipment usage pattern, pre-existing and de novo headaches after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and its relation to personal protective equipment use. Results Of 5064 participants, 90.6% (4562/5034) were women, mean age was 37.2 ± 11 years. Most questions had a completion rate above 87% (non-completion rate ranging from 0–12.7%). Twenty percent were health-care professionals (993/5046). Surgical and cloth masks were the most common personal protective equipment type, whereas protective eyewear and FFP2/FFP3 masks were mostly used by health-care professionals. About 97% (1814/1870) of migraine and headache participants reported aggravation of pre-existing headaches with personal protective equipment use, and 56% (2476/4420) had de novo headaches. Participants with de novo headaches had a higher frequency of pre-existing migraine (1118/1226, 91.2% vs 1408/1600, 88%, P = .042), and wore personal protective equipment for longer periods of time (7 ± 2 h 42 vs 6 ± 2 h 54 min per day, P < .001). In multivariate analysis longer mean duration of personal protective equipment use (OR of 1.1, 95% CI 1–1.2) and previous migraine (OR of 1.2, 95% CI 1–1.4) were predictors of developing de novo headaches. Conclusions Almost all participants with pre-existing headache reported worsening of their headaches, and more than half of the study population developed de novo headaches following personal protective equipment use. Duration of personal protective equipment usage and pre-existing migraine were the strongest predictors of de novo headaches.

Level of Physical Activity, Sleep Quality and Use of Personal Protective Equipment of Students at Wroclaw Medical University during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Another commonly used protective measure was using hand sanitizers, which is understandable, as they became easily accessible in public places during the pandemic. Using goggles was rather rare in our study sample (1.25% on average), while in a Portuguese population, up to 12% admitted to using them [47].…”

“…The vast majority reported using face masks outside the home (from 99.1% to 97.7%), which might have been enforced by the government regulations making it mandatory in closed spaces [46]. It is a slightly higher outcome than in other studies, where the result varies around 90% [47], which could be due to the higher likelihood of compliance to lockdown restrictions by medical students, which is elaborated later on in the discussion part. The same amount applied to washing hands, although it may be disturbing that approximately 2% of the participants did not choose this option, as they will be a part of the medical staff in the future, and their patients' life and health will rely on their personal hygiene as well [48,49].…”

Prevalence of Helmet Induced Headache among Bikers

“…In this study 102 participants were included out of which 51.0% had headache, and 11.5% were having helmet induce headache. Another study was performed in 2020, in contrast to this study ,the study was conducted on healthcare proffesionals in Nearly every participant who had a headache before said it got worse, and more than half of the people in the study got headaches for the first time after using personal protective equipment 12 . Recently a study conducted about coverings or things that can cause pressure around head in 2021 hat, headband, helme,glasses, goggles, or ponytail that is too tight can cause a headache 13.14 .…”

Seltene primäre Kopfschmerzen

“…Da die Beschäftigten im Gesundheitswesen während der COVID-19-Pandemie Schutzmasken tragen mussten, kam es in den letzten 3 Jahren zu einem deutlichen Anstieg der Fälle von Kopfschmerzen durch externe Kompression [43]. Menschen, die zusätzlich unter Migräne leiden, sind besonders gefährdet, einen Maskenkopfschmerz zu entwickeln [44]. Studien zeigen, dass 80% der Stiche 3 s oder weniger dauern; selten dauern die Stiche 10-120 s [45].…”