Journal of Pain Research (Jan 2020)
Menstrual-Related Headaches Among a Cohort of African Adolescent Girls
Abstract
Philip B Adebayo, 1, 2 Folajimi M Otubogun, 2, 3 Rufus O Akinyemi 2, 4 1Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, Postgraduate Medical Education, Aga Khan University, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania; 2Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria; 3Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Medical Science, Ondo, Ondo State, Nigeria; 4Institute of Advanced Medical Research and Training, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, NigeriaCorrespondence: Rufus O AkinyemiNeuroscience and Ageing Research Unit, Institute for Advanced Medical Research and Training, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, NigeriaTel +234 80033704384Email [email protected]: Migraine attacks associated with menstruation are generally perceived as more severe than attacks outside this period.Aim and Objective: The study aimed at determining the frequency of menstrual-related headaches among a cohort of senior secondary school girls in Abeokuta, Nigeria. We also determined its burden among these school girls.Methodology: This study was cross-sectional using a validated adolescent headache survey questionnaire. A self-administration of the instrument was done during a school visit. A headache was classified using the ICHD-II criteria.Results: Of the 183 students interviewed, 123(67.2%) had recurrent headaches. Mean age ±SD, 16.18± 1.55 (range 12– 19). The prevalence of definite migraine was 17.5% while the prevalence of probable migraine was 6.0%. The prevalence of tension-type headache was 41.0%. Migraine was significantly menstrual-related (p=0.001, 95% CI=1.06– 6.63). Median pain severity score was higher among MRH group (p=0.043). The median number of days of reduced productivity and missed social activities was significantly higher in the MRH group; p= 0.001 and p=0.03, respectively. Subjects with MRH were more incapacitated by their headaches (p= 0.003).Conclusion: Menstrually related headache is prevalent even among the adolescent and it has adversely affected their productivity and social life. Care of adolescent with headaches should be intensified.Keywords: headache, adolescence, migraine, menstruation, menstrually related
