Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2017.56.01.07

The Role of Electromyographic Blink Reflex in The Evaluation of Headache Incidence

Marijan Cesarik ; Neurology Department, Požega General Hospital, Požega
Iris Zavoreo orcid.org/0000-0001-9358-1665 ; Clinical Department of Neurology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Lucija Zadro-Matovina ; Clinical Department of Neurology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Tomislav Madžar ; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Vanja Bašić Kes ; Clinical Department of Neurology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Migraine and tension type headache are the most common disabling primary headache disorders. Epidemiological studies have documented their high prevalence and high socioeconomic and personal impacts. According to recent data, migraine ranks as the third most prevalent disorder and seventh-highest specific cause of disability worldwide. Tension-type headache has lifetime prevalence in the general population ranging between 30% and 78% in different studies. According to the International Classifi cation of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition, there also are many other headaches but their incidence in general population is lower than the previously mentioned headaches. Trigeminal nerve and upper cervical segments (C1-C3) are included in pain control of the head region and often evaluated in headache studies in order to improve differential diagnosis and headache treatment. In our study, we evaluated the potential role of electromyographic (EMG) blink reflex in establishing diagnosis of headache and evaluation of trigeminal nerve dysfunction as the possible underlying pathomorphological headache mechanism. Our study included 60 patients with different types of primary headaches and 30 control subjects. Statistical analysis was performed by use of χ2-test and statistical significance was set at p<0.001. Study results showed that patients with trigeminal dysfunction in EMG blink reflex had a 5.6-fold higher risk of developing headache in comparison to subjects with normal EMG blink reflex finding.

Keywords

Headache – diagnosis; Migraine disorders – diagnosis; Blinking; Electromyography; Predictive value of tests

Hrčak ID:

184267

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/184267

Publication date:

1.3.2017.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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