Relationship between basilar invagination and brachycephaly in Northeastern Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Basilar invagination (BI) is an abnormality characterized by a superior projection at the craniovertebral junction (CVJ). The high prevalence of BI in Northeastern Brazil associated with brachycephaly, which is measured by the cranial index (CI), has been widely reported by several neurosurgeons and radiologists from that region since the 1950s. However, strong evidence for this relationship is still pending. The aim of this study is to investigate whether there is a relationship between BI and CI in a sample with participants from Northeastern Brazil. METHODS: The study used magnetic resonance images (MRIs) from 34 patients with BI and 92 controls. These participants had the CI correlated with radiological measurements used in BI diagnosis: Welcker's basal angle (WBA), clivus-canal angle (CCA), apex distance of the odontoid process to Chamberlain's line (DOCL), and Boogaard's angle (BOA). Craniometry was performed using the software Osirix, version 3.9.2 and statistical analysis by SPSS. We used Pearson's test for correlation analysis and the ROC curve was used for depicting CI accuracy related to BI diagnosis. All tests were calculated at the 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: The BI group showed a moderate correlation between CI and CVJ measurements (P < 0.05). The control group had a weak correlation between CI and DOCL, and no statistical significance was verified for other correlations (P > 0.05). The area under the ROC was 0.659 and a CI greater than 86 had a specificity of approximately 80% for BI (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated a greater cephalic projection of the CVJ in patients with high CI in the BI group. Moreover, a CI above 86 has a good diagnosis specificity for BI, showing evidence of a relationship between hyperbrachycephaly and CVJ anomalies in Northeastern Brazil.

Lifestyle, quality of life, nutritional status and headache in school-age children.

BACKGROUND: Headache has been described as a factor with significant negative impact on the quality of life of school-aged children with a high risk of developing in chronic and persistent form in adulthood. Among other headache associated triggers or aggravating factors, lifestyle and obesity has been investigated, but results are still conflicting. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of headache in school-aged children and its relationship to anthropometric characteristics, lifestyle, and quality of life. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in six schools located in two cities in southern Brazil, involving 750 students aged 7 to 14 years. Information was collected on sociodemographic characteristics, clinical variables (presence of headache and menarche), anthropometric data, lifestyle, and quality of life. RESULTS: A total of 185 (24.7%) students reported having headache crises in the last 3 months. Among students aged 10 to 14 years, presence of headache was associated with female sex, affecting 32.2% of girls vs. 23.3% of boys (p = 0.042, chi-square test). Anthropometric parameters (data on overweight/obesity) were consistent with national prevalence rates, and there was no association between Body Mass Index (BMI) and headache. Regarding lifestyle, 2.0% of students reported smoking and 1.6% consuming alcohol occasionally, and neither was associated with headache. Quality of life, especially aspects of social life, appeared to be affected by the presence of headache. CONCLUSION: This study found a high prevalence of headache in school-aged children, which was associated with female students aged 10-14 years and quality of life.

Introducción: Dolor de cabeza se ha descrito como un factor con impacto negativo significativo en la calidad de vida de los niños en edad escolar, con alto riesgo de desarrollar la forma crónica y persistente en la edad adulta. Entre otros factores desencadenantes o agravantes asociados, se ha investigado el estilo de vida y la obesidad, pero los resultados siguen siendo contradictorios. Objetivo: Evaluar la prevalencia de dolor de cabeza en niños en edad escolar y su relación con las características antropométricas, estilo de vida y calidad de vida. Métodos: Un estudio transversal se llevó a cabo en seis escuelas ubicadas en dos ciudades del sur de Brasil, con la participación de 750 estudiantes de 7 a 14 años. Se obtuvo información sobre características sociodemográficas, variables clínicas (presencia de dolor de cabeza y la menarquia), datos antropométricos, estilo de vida y calidad de vida. Resultados: Un total de 185 (24,7%) estudiantes reportaron tener crisis de dolor de cabeza en los últimos 3 meses. Entre los estudiantes de 10 a 14 años, presencia de dolor de cabeza se asoció con el sexo femenino, que afecta a un 32,2% de niñas frente a un 23,3% de los varones (p = 0,042, chi-cuadrado). Parámetros antropométricos (datos de sobrepeso/ obesidad) fueron consistentes con las tasas nacionales de prevalencia, y no hubo asociación entre el Índice de Masa Corporal (IMC) y dolor de cabeza. En cuanto a estilo de vida, 2,0% de los estudiantes reportaron fumar y un 1,6% el consumo de alcohol de vez en cuando, y no se asoció con dolor de cabeza. La calidad de vida, especialmente los aspectos de la vida social, parece estar afectada por la presencia de dolor de cabeza. Conclusión: Este estudio encontró una alta prevalencia de dolor de cabeza en niños en edad escolar, que se asoció con estudiantes de 10-14 años y la calidad de vida.

Lifestyle, quality of life, nutritional status and headache in school-aged children / Estilo de vida, calidad de vida, estado nutricional y dolor de cabeza en edad escolar

BACKGROUND: Headache has been described as a factor with significant negative impact on the quality of life of school-aged children with a high risk of developing in chronic and persistent form in adulthood. Among other headache associated triggers or aggravating factors, lifestyle and obesity has been investigated, but results are still conflicting. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of headache in school-aged children and its relationship to anthropometric characteristics, lifestyle, and quality of life. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in six schools located in two cities in southern Brazil, involving 750 students aged 7 to 14 years. Information was collected on sociodemographic characteristics, clinical variables (presence of headache and menarche), anthropometric data, lifestyle, and quality of life. RESULTS: A total of 185 (24.7%) students reported having headache crises in the last 3 months. Among students aged 10 to 14 years, presence of headache was associated with female sex, affecting 32.2% of girls vs. 23.3% of boys (p = 0.042, chi-square test). Anthropometric parameters (data on overweight/obesity) were consistent with national prevalence rates, and there was no association between Body Mass Index (BMI) and headache. Regarding lifestyle, 2.0% of students reported smoking and 1.6% consuming alcohol occasionally, and neither was associated with headache. Quality of life, especially aspects of social life, appeared to be affected by the presence of headache. CONCLUSION: This study found a high prevalence of headache in school-aged children, which was associated with female students aged 10-14 years and quality of life (AU)

Introducción: Dolor de cabeza se ha descrito como un factor con impacto negativo significativo en la calidad de vida de los niños en edad escolar, con alto riesgo de desarrollar la forma crónica y persistente en la edad adulta. Entre otros factores desencadenantes o agravantes asociados, se ha investigado el estilo de vida y la obesidad, pero los resultados siguen siendo contradictorios. Objetivo: Evaluar la prevalencia de dolor de cabeza en niños en edad escolar y su relación con las características antropométricas, estilo de vida y calidad de vida. Métodos: Un estudio transversal se llevó a cabo en seis escuelas ubicadas en dos ciudades del sur de Brasil, con la participación de 750 estudiantes de 7 a 14 años. Se obtuvo información sobre características sociodemográficas, variables clínicas (presencia de dolor de cabeza y la menarquia), datos antropométricos, estilo de vida y calidad de vida. Resultados: Un total de 185 (24,7%) estudiantes reportaron tener crisis de dolor de cabeza en los últimos 3 meses. Entre los estudiantes de 10 a 14 años, presencia de dolor de cabeza se asoció con el sexo femenino, que afecta a un 32,2% de niñas frente a un 23,3% de los varones (p = 0,042, chi-cuadrado). Parámetros antropométricos (datos de sobrepeso/ obesidad) fueron consistentes con las tasas nacionales de prevalencia, y no hubo asociación entre el Índice de Masa Corporal (IMC) y dolor de cabeza. En cuanto a estilo de vida, 2,0% de los estudiantes reportaron fumar y un 1,6% el consumo de alcohol de vez en cuando, y no se asoció con dolor de cabeza. La calidad de vida, especialmente los aspectos de la vida social, parece estar afectada por la presencia de dolor de cabeza. Conclusión: Este estudio encontró una alta prevalencia de dolor de cabeza en niños en edad escolar, que se asoció con estudiantes de 10-14 años y la calidad de vida (AU)