PREVALENCE OF CERVICOGENIC HEADACHE IN MEDICAL STUDENT

Abstract

Cervicogenic headache (CGH), a type of secondary headache stemming from cervical spine dysfunction, is often misdiagnosed due to its similarity to primary headaches. Given the high levels of physical and mental strain in medical education, this study set out to explore how common CGH is among medical students. We initially screened 117 students using three validated tools: the Cervicogenic Headache Questionnaire (CGH), the Neck Disability Index (NDI), and the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS). Of those, 56 students met the criteria for further evaluation. Surprisingly, only one participant (1.78%) showed signs consistent with CGH. Average scores on the assessment tools suggested minimal cervical-related symptoms or disability (CGH: 26.76, NDI: 8.11, LANSS: 3.31). These findings indicate that CGH is not a common issue among medical students, challenging the assumption that their academic lifestyle puts them at high risk. While factors like stress, posture, and screen use may still cause general discomfort, they do not seem to significantly contribute to CGH in this population.

Keywords: CGH, LANSS, Neck Disability Index (NDI), FHP