Migraine attacks among Lebanese university medical students: A cross sectional study on prevalence and correlations

Mental health markers and protective factors in students with symptoms of physical pain across WEIRD and non-WEIRD samples - a network analysis

BACKGROUND

Studies conducted in Western societies have identified variables associated with chronic pain, but few have done so across cultures. Our study aimed to clarify the relationship between specific mental health markers (i.e., depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD], perceived stress) as well as specific protective factors (i.e., social support and self-efficacy) related to physical pain among university students across non-WEIRD and WEIRD samples.

METHOD

A total of 188 university students (131 women and 57 men) were included in the study. We used network analysis to ascertain mental health markers especially central to the experience of physical pain.

RESULTS

No statistically significant difference was found between mental health markers (i.e., depression, anxiety, perceived stress, and PTSD) and protective factors (i.e., social support and self-efficacy) associated with physical pain symptoms for Swiss students versus Indian students (M = 0.325, p = .11). In addition, networks for Swiss versus Indian students did not differ in global strength (S = 0.29, p = .803). Anxiety was the most central mental health marker, and social support was the most important protective factor related to physical pain in both countries. However, for Swiss students, perceived stress, and for Indian students, PTSD symptoms were central mental health markers related to physical pain.

CONCLUSION

Our results identify factors that may serve as important treatment targets for pain interventions among students of both countries before it becomes chronic.

Migraine, associated factors, and functional disability in medical students at a peruvian university during the COVID-19 pandemic: An analytical cross-sectional study

Background

It is unknown whether the confinement caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may influence migraine triggers. This study aimed to determine the frequency of migraine and their associated factors in medical students at a Peruvian university. The characteristics of migraine episodes and degree of functional disability caused by migraine were also evaluated.

Methods

An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on medical students of a Peruvian university. The suspected migraine was determined with the Migraine Screen Questionnaire. Sociodemographic, confounding, and COVID-19 pandemic-related variables were included as possible associated factors. Poisson regression models were used, and crude and adjusted prevalence ratios with 95% confidence intervals were estimated.

Results

The participants comprised 327 students, and 30.3% (n = 99) had suspected migraine. Sex, clustered semesters, having family members with migraine and COVID-19 risk factors, and hours in front of the computer were associated with a higher probability of migraine. However, having more hours of sleep per day was associated with a lower probability. Moreover, most students with migraine had a severe functional disability (41.4%).

Conclusions

The high frequency of migraine in medical students could be due to COVID-19-related quarantine. Certain pandemic-related factors increase the probability of having migraine. A high level of disability should promote timely diagnosis and follow-up in affected students.

Preventive and Therapeutic Aspects of Migraine for Patient Care: An Insight

BACKGROUND

Migraine is a common neurological condition marked by frequent mild to extreme headaches that last 4 to 72 hours. A migraine headache may cause a pulsing or concentrated throbbing pain in one part of the brain. Nausea, vomiting, excessive sensitivity to light and sound, smell, feeling sick, vomiting, painful headache, and blurred vision are all symptoms of migraine disorder. Females are more affected by migraines in comparison to males.

OBJECTIVE

The present review article summarizes preventive and therapeutic measures, including allopathic and herbal remedies for the treatment of migraine.

RESULTS

This review highlights the current aspects of migraine pathophysiology and covers an understanding of the complex workings of the migraine state. Therapeutic agents that could provide an effective treatment have also been discussed.

CONCLUSION

It can be concluded that different migraines could be treated based on their type and severity.

Triggering and relieving factors of migraine among university students: A cross-sectional study in Lebanon

Introduction Migraine is common among university students and can directly affect their daily activities and learning since students with migraine have difficulties attending classes and missed more school days than other students. Objectives This study aimed to identify triggering factors of migraine along with factors that relieve headaches associated with migraine episodes among university students. Methods An observational cross-sectional study targeted students from different faculties of the public university campus in Lebanon using a survey for data collection. Results Feeling hungry (65.9%), fasting (50.7%), and coffee deprivation (22.7%) were the most commonly reported dietary factors inducing headaches among university students. In comparison, climate changes (77.1%), noise and high volumes (73.9%), and hot weather (60.2%) were the most common environmental triggers. Among the psychological factors, anxiety (53.4%) and crying (47.3%) were highly reported and were significantly higher among women. Fatigue (63.2%), studying for exams (59.5%), and neck pain (46.8%) were the most common physical activity-reported factors. Lack of sleep (72%) and changes in sleeping hours (42.7%) were the primarily reported sleeping habits that can trigger headaches, with no statistically significant differences between men and women.  Sleeping (66.3%), relaxing (53.4%), avoiding migraine’s trigger factors (42.9%), and having a warm bath (38.5%) were the most reported relieving factors of headache among students. No statistically significant association was noted between any of the factors and the sex of the participants. Conclusion The triggering and relieving factors of migraine were comparable between men and women. Some triggering factors such as crying, anxiety, and fatigue were found significant among women, while driving was a higher migraine trigger among men. Lifestyle interventions may provide clues on effective relieving strategies and yield the establishment of different medical services and university programs.

Prevalence and risk factors of migraine headache among university students: A cross-sectional study in Lebanon

Background Migraine constitutes a major public health concern since it negatively affects both the quality of life and the productivity of patients. Migraine among students can cause impaired academic performance and limit their daily activities. Objective This study aims to assess the prevalence of migraine among university students using the ID Migraine screening tool and to evaluate risk factors associated with migraine. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed over a period of six months targeting 1144 university students recruited from the different faculties. Results Migraine was suggested in 35.8% of subjects based on ID-Migraine. Migraine prevalence was significantly higher among women (42% versus 23.3% of men). After adjusting for covariates, women, daily coffee consumption, having unorganized meals, eating fast food and fasting were the main predictors of migraine.  Almost 41% of migraine students had a family history of migraine and only 26.7% sought medical help. Interestingly, most of the migraine students (84.8%) took headache medications without referring them to their doctor. Conclusion Recognizing headache risk factors among migraine students and adopting lifestyle changes accordingly can be an effective strategy to prevent the chronification of the attacks, decrease headache frequency and improve patients’ quality of life.