History of Migraine Predicts Headache at High Altitude
Abstract
UNLABELLED: Davis, Christopher, Elaine Reno, Edward Maa, and Robert Roach. History of Migraine Predicts Headache at High Altitude. High Alt Med Biol. 17:300-304, 2016.-Objective: To characterize the spectrum of headaches and their association with migraine history within a population of recreational hikers above 4300 m.
METHODS: Using a cross-sectional survey design, a convenience sample of 667 hikers participated in a written survey after descent from Mount Gray/Torreys (4349 m). Headaches were characterized as migraine, high altitude headache (HAH), and/or acute mountain sickness (AMS) using International Headache Society Lake Louise AMS scoring criteria. A univariate odds ratio was calculated to determine whether a history of migraine increased the risk of migrainous headache. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess whether a priori identified risk factors such as age, sex, recent alcohol consumption, home elevation, and self-reported fluid intake and whether summit success increased the risk of any headache at altitude.
RESULTS: Sixty percent of hikers were male with an age range of 17-62 years. Eighty percent reached the summit of Mount Grays/Torreys (4349 m). Seventy-nine percent of participants resided in Colorado; the median elevation of residence for subjects was 1697 m (interquartile range 1557-1765 m). HAH occurred in 39% of hikers, while AMS occurred in 26% of hikers. A history of migraine was associated with increased risk of any headache at altitude…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause.
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