Medication use in collegiate student-athletes with migraine history

Abstract

Background: Approximately 25% of collegiate student-athletes have reported a migraine history. Though medication may be helpful to those with migraine, there are many barriers to care, which may xxx affect this population. The purpose of this study was to determine if collegiate student-athletes with a self-reported history of migraine were taking medications and identify if some of the common barriers to care (i.e., provider trust, headache severity) were present. Methods: During routine pre-participation physicals, collegiate student-athletes were recruited for inclusion in the study. Participants completed questionnaires including: a health history questionnaire (e.g., age, sex, migraine history, current medications), Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) and Brief Disability Questionnaire (BDQ) for migraine severity, and a modified Patient-Doctor Relationship Questionnaire-9 for provider trust. Results: Participants did not report taking prescription medications for migraine. However, over-the-counter (OTC) medications (30%), prescription medications (66.7%), and both (21.2%), were reported by individuals with migraine. From the MIDAS and BDQ, low to mild migraine severity was reported in those with migraine. Conclusion: Collegiate student-athletes self-reported migraine and taking medication for migraine at lower rates than the general population. Migraine severity was low and provider care was high.