Headache Disorders in the Millennium Cohort: Epidemiology and Relations With Combat Deployment
Abstract
Objective: Characterize migraine and other headache disorders within a large population-based US military cohort, with an emphasis on the temporal association between military deployment and exposure to combat. Background: A higher than expected prevalence of migraine has previously been reported among deployed US soldiers in Iraq, suggesting an association. Headache disorders, including migraine, could have important consequences for military service members? performance. Methods: A total of 77,047 US active-duty, Reserve, and National Guard members completed baseline and follow-up questionnaires for the Millennium Cohort Study. Headache disorders were assessed using the following survey-based measures: self-reported history of provider-diagnosed migraine, recurrent severe headache within the past year, and recent headaches/bothered a lot within the past 4 weeks. Results: Combat deployers had significantly higher odds of any new-onset headache disorders than nondeployers (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.55-1.90 for men; AOR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.55-2.18 for women), while deployers without combat exposure did not. Conclusions: Deployed personnel with reported combat exposure appear to represent a higher risk group for new-onset headache disorders. The identification of populations at higher risk of development of headache provides support for targeted interventions. migraine, headache symptoms, incidence, cohort studies, military personnel
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA563153
Entities
People
- Ann Scher
- Christopher J. Jankosky
- Edward J. Boyko
- Gary Dean Gackstetter
- Nisara S. Granado
- Tomoko I. Hooper
- Tyler Clain Smith
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center