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Examining Acute Symptoms After Sport-Related Concussion in Collegiate Athletes With Preinjury Migraines

Jo J, Berkner PD, Stephenson K, Maxwell BA, Iverson GL, Zuckerman SL, Terry DP

Clinical journal of sport medicine : official journal of the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine, 2024

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether a personal history of migraines is associated with worse acute symptom burden after sport-related concussion (SRC).

DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING: National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III collegiate programs.

PARTICIPANTS: Collegiate athletes from a prospective concussion surveillance system between 09, 2014, and 01, 2023.

INTERVENTION: Preinjury migraines (yes/no) were self-reported by athletes.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) were collected within 3 days postinjury. Mann-Whitney U tests compared total PCSS scores and individual symptom scores between athletes with and without preinjury migraines. Chi-squared tests were used to compare proportions of athletes endorsing individual symptoms (ie, item score ≥1) between 2 groups. Multivariable regression analyzed potential predictors of PCSS scores.

RESULTS: Of 1190 athletes with SRC, 93 (7.8%) reported a preinjury history of migraines. No significant difference in total PCSS scores was found between athletes with and without preinjury migraines (22.0 ± 16.4 vs 20.5 ± 15.8, U = 48 719.0, P = 0.471). Athletes with preinjury migraines reported greater severity of "sensitivity to light" (1.59 ± 1.59 vs 1.23 ± 1.41, P = 0.040) and "feeling more emotional" (0.91 ± 1.27 vs 0.70 ± 1.30; P = 0.008) and were more likely to endorse "feeling more emotional" (45.2% vs 29.5%, P = 0.002). No differences were found across all other symptoms, including…

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Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence.

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