Allodynia and clinical features in women with persistent headache attributed to mild traumatic injury to the head in comparison with women with migraine

Hugo Andre de Lima Martins; Valdenilson Ribeiro Ribas; Daniella Araujo de Oliveira; Marcelo Moraes Valenca

Volume : VIII, Issue : I, January - 2019

Allodynia and clinical features in women with persistent headache attributed to mild traumatic injury to the head in comparison with women with migraine

Hugo Andre De Lima Martins, Valdenilson Ribeiro Ribas, Daniella Araujo De Oliveira, Marcelo Moraes Valenca

Abstract :

Introduction: Post–traumatic headache is the most common symptom found in the post–traumatic syndrome. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of tactile or thermal allodynia in women with persistent headache. Method: The women were divided into three groups: (a) Individuals without headache (b) persistent post–traumatic headache and (c) migraine (n=29). The allodynia was evaluated by the quantitative method using the Semmens–Weinstein esthesiometer to determine the pressure thresholds, and glass test tubes filled with warm or cold water for the thermal sensitivity evaluation. For the cutaneous allodynia qualitative evaluation, a questionnaire was used. Results: Patients with persistent headache attributed to traumatic injury to the head presented mechanical and thermal sensitivity thresholds lower than the control group (p<0.05) and a quantity of cephalic and extra–cephalic allodynic symptoms greater than that found in the controls (p<0.05). Conclusion: Cephalic and extracephalic allodynia is a common phenomenon in patients with posttraumatic headache.