Migraine epidemiology in collegiate student-athletes: Findings from the Concussion Assessment, Research, and Education (CARE) Consortium.

OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study evaluated de-identified data from the National Collegiate Athletic Association-Department of Defense Grand Alliance from 2014 to 2020 to determine the prevalence of migraine and migraine medication and to describe differences in migraine prevalence by sex, race, and sport. BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies can help identify underdiagnosed and undertreated populations. Understanding migraine prevalence in collegiate student-athletes is essential for positive healthcare outcomes including development of prevention and treatment plans. METHODS: From a concussion baseline assessment, participant's self-reported demographics (e.g., age, sex, sport), migraine diagnosis (i.e., yes/no), and migraine medication usage (e.g., yes/no, type) determined prevalence of migraine and medication use in collegiate student-athletes. RESULTS: Migraine was reported in 5.6% (2617/47,060; 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.4%-5.8%) of the student-athletes, with higher prevalence in females, 7.5% (1319/17,628; 95% CI 7.1%-7.9%), than males, 4.6% (1298/28,116; 95% CI 4.4%-4.9%). Medication usage was reported by 36.2% (947/2617; 95% CI 34.3%-38.0%) of individuals with migraine. Migraine reporting differed by race, with Caucasian reporting highest (5.9%; 1990/33,913; 95% CI 5.6%-6.1%) and Asian the lowest (2.7%; 55/2027; 95% CI 2.1%-3.5%). Women's sports, including golf, gymnastics, and lacrosse, and men's diving and squash had higher migraine reporting than other sports. CONCLUSION: Caucasian females reported higher rates than other groups and sport influenced rates of migraine diagnosis.

Premorbid Primary Headache and Vestibular and Oculomotor Baseline Assessments in Collegiate Athletes.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of premorbid headache status on vestibular and oculomotor baseline tests in collegiate club athletes. DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. SETTING: Sport Concussion Laboratory. PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS: Collegiate club athletes with a self-reported premorbid headache history (n = 32, 19.50 ± 1.98 years, and 31% women) and age-sex-sport-matched controls (n = 32, 19.56 ± 1.47 years, and 31% women) without a self-reported headache history were included. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were grouped based on a self-reported headache history at baseline. Controls were randomly matched to self-reported headache participants by age, sex, and sport. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Vestibular/ocular motor screen (VOMS) baseline symptoms, symptom provocation, near point of convergence (NPC) distance, and King-Devick (K-D) test time were compared between groups. RESULTS: Athletes with a self-reported headache history at baseline are 3.82 times more likely to have abnormal NPC scores (P = 0.032) and 4.76 times more likely to have abnormal K-D test times (P = 0.014) than those without a headache history. There was no difference in VOMS baseline symptoms or symptom provocation between groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Club collegiate athletes with a headache history were more likely to screen as abnormal during a vestibular/ocular motor function assessment than athletes without a history of headaches. Healthcare professionals should screen for pre-existing headache during baseline concussion assessments before test interpretation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A premorbid headache history at preseason baseline assessment may influence vestibular and oculomotor function, and care should be taken when interpreting these individuals' tests.