J Neurol Res

Journal of Neurology Research, ISSN 1923-2845 print, 1923-2853 online, Open Access

Article copyright, the authors; Journal compilation copyright, J Neurol Res and Elmer Press Inc

Journal website http://www.neurores.org

Original Article

Volume 7, Number 1-2, April 2017, pages 5-12

Prevalence and Impact on Job Performance of Primary Headache Among Medical and Paramedical Staff in the Emergency Department

**Table 1.** Socio-Demographic Data of the Study Sample (N = 308)
	N	%
Age
18 - 24	80	26%
25 - 39	176	57.1%
40 - 59	52	16.9%
Total	308	100%
Gender
Male	158	51.3%
Female	150	48.7%
Total	308	100%
Marital status
Single	160	51.9%
Married	144	46.8%
Divorced/widow	4	1.3%
Total	308	100%
Specialty
Medical	132	42.9%
Paramedical	176	57.1%
Total	308	100%
Body mass index (BMI)
Underweight	36	11.7%
Normal	148	48.1%
Overweight	80	26.0%
Obese	44	14.3%
Total	308	100.0%
BMI, mean ± SD	24 ± 5
Physical activities ≥ 30 min/week
Never	148	48.1%
1	56	17.5%
1 - 3	70	22.7%
+3	36	11.7%
Total	308	100.0%
Smoking
Yes	62	20.1%
No	246	79.9%
Total	308	100.0%
Income
5,000 - 10,000 SR	172	55.8%
10,000 - 15,000 SR	88	28.6%
+ 15,000 SR	48	15.6%
Total	308	100.0%
Family history
Yes	122	39.6%
No	186	60.4%
Total	308	100.0%
Headache last 3 months
Yes	272	88.3%
No	36	11.7%
Total	308	100.0%

Table 1. Socio-Demographic Data of the Study Sample (N = 308)

Age

18 - 24

26%

25 - 39

176

57.1%

40 - 59

16.9%

Total

308

100%

Gender

Male

158

51.3%

Female

150

48.7%

Total

308

100%

Marital status

Single

160

51.9%

Married

144

46.8%

Divorced/widow

1.3%

Total

308

100%

Specialty

Medical

132

42.9%

Paramedical

176

57.1%

Total

308

100%

Body mass index (BMI)

Underweight

11.7%

Normal

148

48.1%

Overweight

26.0%

Obese

14.3%

Total

308

100.0%

BMI, mean ± SD

24 ± 5

Physical activities ≥ 30 min/week

Never

148

48.1%

17.5%

1 - 3

22.7%

11.7%

Total

308

100.0%

Smoking

Yes

20.1%

246

79.9%

Total

308

100.0%

Income

5,000 - 10,000 SR

172

55.8%

10,000 - 15,000 SR

28.6%

+ 15,000 SR

15.6%

Total

308

100.0%

Family history

Yes

122

39.6%

186

60.4%

Total

308

100.0%

Headache last 3 months

Yes

272

88.3%

11.7%

Total

308

100.0%

**Table 2.** Association Between Socio-Demographic Data and Headache Occurrence in the Last 3 Months
	Headache occurrence in the last 3 months	X²	P value
^††Statistically significant difference. (n, %) Column percent (of all samples).
Age	18 - 24	72	(23.4%) 90%	8	(76.6%) 10%	4.94	0.09
25 - 39	150	(48.7%) 85.2%	26	(51.3%) 14.8%
40 - 59	50	(16.2%) 96.2%	2	(83.8%) 3.8%
Gender	Male	142	89.9%	16	10.1%	0.77	0.38
Female	130	86.7%	20	13.3%
Marital status	Single	136	85%	24	15%	3.8	0.15
Married	132	91.7%	12	8.3%
Divorced/widow	4	100%	0	0%
Specialty	Medical	116	87.9%	16	12.1%	0.04	0.84
Paramedical	156	88.6%	20	11.4%
Body mass index (BMI)	Underweight	30	83.3%	6	16.7%	3.74	0.29
Normal	128	86.5%	20	13.5%
Overweight	72	90%	8	10%
Obese	42	95.5%	2	4.5%
Physical activities ≥ 30 min/week	Never	138	93.2%	10	6.8%	11.92	0.008^††
1	44	81.5%	10	18.5%
1 - 3	56	80%	14	20%
+3	34	94.4%	2	5.6%
Smoking	Yes	60	96.8%	2	3.2%	5.39	0.020^††
No	212	86.2%	34	13.8%
Income	5,000 - 10,000 SR	156	90.7%	16	9.3%	2.43	0.30
10,000 - 15,000 SR	76	86.4%	12	13.6%
+ 15,000 SR	40	83.3%	8	16.7%
Family history	Yes	110	90.2%	12	9.8%	0.67	0.41
No	162	87.1%	24	12.9%

Table 2. Association Between Socio-Demographic Data and Headache Occurrence in the Last 3 Months

Headache occurrence in the last 3 months

X²

P value

Yes

No.

^††Statistically significant difference. (n, %) Column percent (of all samples).

Age

18 - 24

(23.4%) 90%

(76.6%) 10%

4.94

0.09

25 - 39

150

(48.7%) 85.2%

(51.3%) 14.8%

40 - 59

(16.2%) 96.2%

(83.8%) 3.8%

Gender

Male

142

89.9%

10.1%

0.77

0.38

Female

130

86.7%

13.3%

Marital status

Single

136

85%

15%

3.8

0.15

Married

132

91.7%

8.3%

Divorced/widow

100%

Specialty

Medical

116

87.9%

12.1%

0.04

0.84

Paramedical

156

88.6%

11.4%

Body mass index (BMI)

Underweight

83.3%

16.7%

3.74

0.29

Normal

128

86.5%

13.5%

Overweight

90%

10%

Obese

95.5%

4.5%

Physical activities ≥ 30 min/week

Never

138

93.2%

6.8%

11.92

0.008^††

81.5%

18.5%

1 - 3

80%

20%

94.4%

5.6%

Smoking

Yes

96.8%

3.2%

5.39

0.020^††

212

86.2%

13.8%

Income

5,000 - 10,000 SR

156

90.7%

9.3%

2.43

0.30

10,000 - 15,000 SR

86.4%

13.6%

+ 15,000 SR

83.3%

16.7%

Family history

Yes

110

90.2%

9.8%

0.67

0.41

162

87.1%

12.9%

**Table 3.** Headache Characteristics (N = 272)
	N	%
Headache duration (years)
1 - 3 years	160	58.8%
3 - 5 years	44	16.2%
+ 5 years	68	25%
Headache frequency
Daily	34	12.5%
Weekly	140	51.5%
Monthly	98	36%
Headache site
Bilateral	154	56.6%
One-sided	118	43.4%
Headache character
Pulsating/throbbing	128	47.1%
Dull/pressing	144	52.9%
Headache onset
Gradually	116	42.6%
Suddenly	78	28.7%
Varies	78	28.7%
Headache intensity
Mild	74	27.2%
Moderate	158	58.1%
Severe	40	14.7%
Headaches increasing in frequency
Yes	112	41.2%
No	160	58.8%
Headache time
Morning	68	25%
Evening	146	53.7%
Night	58	21.3%
Headache relieving (with medications)
Minutes	44	16.2%
Hours	136	50%
Days	18	6.6%
No medication use	74	27.2%
Headache relieving (without medications)
Minutes	46	16.9%
Hours	174	64%
Days	52	19.1%
Headache worsened by physical activities
Yes	156	57.4%
No	116	42.6%
Headaches associated with nausea
Yes	90	33.1%
No	182	66.9%
Headaches associated with vomiting
Yes	40	14.7%
No	232	85.3%
Sensitivity to light
Yes	128	47.1%
No	144	52.9%
Sensitivity to noise
Yes	146	53.7%
No	126	46.3%
Neurological deficiencies
Yes	44	16.2%
No	228	83.8%
Specialist consultation
General practitioner	24	8.8%
Family Physician	18	6.6%
Neurologist	30	11%
None	200	73.5%
Medication use
No medication	134	49.3%
Prescription	46	16.9%
Over the counter	92	33.8%
Frequency of absenteeism
1 - 5 days	46	16.9%
5 - 10 days	20	7.4%
+ 10 days	6	2.2%
None	200	73.5%

Table 3. Headache Characteristics (N = 272)

Headache duration (years)

1 - 3 years

160

58.8%

3 - 5 years

16.2%

+ 5 years

25%

Headache frequency

Daily

12.5%

Weekly

140

51.5%

Monthly

36%

Headache site

Bilateral

154

56.6%

One-sided

118

43.4%

Headache character

Pulsating/throbbing

128

47.1%

Dull/pressing

144

52.9%

Headache onset

Gradually

116

42.6%

Suddenly

28.7%

Varies

28.7%

Headache intensity

Mild

27.2%

Moderate

158

58.1%

Severe

14.7%

Headaches increasing in frequency

Yes

112

41.2%

160

58.8%

Headache time

Morning

25%

Evening

146

53.7%

Night

21.3%

Headache relieving (with medications)

Minutes

16.2%

Hours

136

50%

Days

6.6%

No medication use

27.2%

Headache relieving (without medications)

Minutes

16.9%

Hours

174

64%

Days

19.1%

Headache worsened by physical activities

Yes

156

57.4%

116

42.6%

Headaches associated with nausea

Yes

33.1%

182

66.9%

Headaches associated with vomiting

Yes

14.7%

232

85.3%

Sensitivity to light

Yes

128

47.1%

144

52.9%

Sensitivity to noise

Yes

146

53.7%

126

46.3%

Neurological deficiencies

Yes

16.2%

228

83.8%

Specialist consultation

General practitioner

8.8%

Family Physician

6.6%

Neurologist

11%

None

200

73.5%

Medication use

No medication

134

49.3%

Prescription

16.9%

Over the counter

33.8%

Frequency of absenteeism

1 - 5 days

16.9%

5 - 10 days

7.4%

+ 10 days

2.2%

None

200

73.5%

**Table 4.** Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) (N = 272)
	Headache impact test (HIT-6)	X²	P value
^††Statistically significant difference.
Age
18 - 24	18	25%	10	13.9%	20	27.8%	24	33.3%	15.87	0.014^††
25 - 39	32	21.3%	22	14.7%	42	28%	54	36%
40 - 59	24	48%	8	16%	10	20%	8	16%
Marital status
Single	30	22.1%	10	7.4%	44	32.4%	52	38.2%	25.22	0.000^††
Married	44	33.3%	28	21.2%	28	21.2%	32	24.2%
Divorced/widow	0	0%	2	50%	0	0%	2	50%
Specialty
Medical	46	39.7%	16	13.8%	30	25.9%	24	20.7%	19.30	0.000^††
Paramedical	28	17.9%	24	15.4%	42	26.9%	62	39.7%
Body mass index (BMI)
Underweight	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	30	100%	411.14	0.000^††
Normal	0	0%	0	0%	72	56.3%	56	43.8%
Overweight	32	44.4%	40	55.6%	0	0%	0	0%
Obese	42	100%	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%
Physical activities ≥ 30 min/week
Never	34	24.6%	20	14.5%	42	30.4%	42	30.4%	17.95	0.036^††
1	16	36.4%	4	9.1%	6	13.6%	18	40.9%
1 - 3	10	17.9%	14	25%	16	28.6%	16	28.6%
+ 3	14	41.2%	2	5.9%	8	23.5%	10	29.4%
Smoking
Yes	12	20%	24	40%	8	13.3%	16	26.7%	40.58	0.000^††
No	62	29.2%	16	7.5%	64	30.2%	70	33%
Headache duration (years)
1 - 3 years	36	22.5%	18	11.3%	48	30%	58	36.3%	29.34	0.000^††
3 - 5 years	16	36.4%	16	36.4%	6	13.6%	6	13.6%
+ 5 years	22	32.4%	6	8.8%	18	26.5%	22	32.4%
Specialist consultation
General practitioner	2	8.3%	2	8.3%	16	66.7%	4	16.7%	50.84	0.000^††
Family physician	6	33.3%	4	22.2%	2	11.1%	6	33.3%
Neurologist	18	60%	8	26.7%	2	6.7%	2	6.7%
None	48	24%	26	13%	52	26%	74	37%
Medication use
No medication	26	19.4%	16	11.9%	32	23.9%	60	44.8%	34.17	0.000^††
Prescription	18	39.1%	4	8.7%	20	43.5%	4	8.7%
Over the counter	30	32.6%	20	21.7%	20	21.7%	22	23.9%
Frequency of absenteeism
1 - 5 days	26	56.5%	2	4.3%	10	21.7%	8	17.4%	46.28	0.000^††
5 - 10 days	12	60%	4	20%	2	10%	2	10%
+ 10 days	2	33.3%	0	0%	2	33.3%	2	33.3%
None	34	17%	34	17%	58	29%	74	37%

Table 4. Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) (N = 272)

Headache impact test (HIT-6)

X²

P value

Severe impact

Remarkable impact

Some impact

Little to no impact

^††Statistically significant difference.

Age

18 - 24

25%

13.9%

27.8%

33.3%

15.87

0.014^††

25 - 39

21.3%

14.7%

28%

36%

40 - 59

48%

16%

20%

16%

Marital status

Single

22.1%

7.4%

32.4%

38.2%

25.22

0.000^††

Married

33.3%

21.2%

24.2%

Divorced/widow

50%

Specialty

Medical

39.7%

13.8%

25.9%

20.7%

19.30

0.000^††

Paramedical

17.9%

15.4%

26.9%

39.7%

Body mass index (BMI)

Underweight

100%

411.14

0.000^††

Normal

56.3%

43.8%

Overweight

44.4%

55.6%

Obese

100%

Physical activities ≥ 30 min/week

Never

24.6%

14.5%

30.4%

17.95

0.036^††

36.4%

9.1%

13.6%

40.9%

1 - 3

17.9%

25%

28.6%

+ 3

41.2%

5.9%

23.5%

29.4%

Smoking

Yes

20%

40%

13.3%

26.7%

40.58

0.000^††

29.2%

7.5%

30.2%

33%

Headache duration (years)

1 - 3 years

22.5%

11.3%

30%

36.3%

29.34

0.000^††

3 - 5 years

36.4%

13.6%

+ 5 years

32.4%

8.8%

26.5%

32.4%

Specialist consultation

General practitioner

8.3%

66.7%

16.7%

50.84

0.000^††

Family physician

33.3%

22.2%

11.1%

33.3%

Neurologist

60%

26.7%

6.7%

None

24%

13%

26%

37%

Medication use

No medication

19.4%

11.9%

23.9%

44.8%

34.17

0.000^††

Prescription

39.1%

8.7%

43.5%

8.7%

Over the counter

32.6%

21.7%

23.9%

Frequency of absenteeism

1 - 5 days

56.5%

4.3%

21.7%

17.4%

46.28

0.000^††

5 - 10 days

60%

20%

10%

+ 10 days

33.3%

None

17%

29%

37%