Frequency of headache among the employees of a rubber company in the state of São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

CONTEXT AND Objective: Primary headaches may be responsible for absenteeism and a fall in the yield and productivity of work. The aim of this study was to establish the presence and frequency of primary headache among employees of a rubber shoe sole company, and its link to absenteism. DESIGN AND SETTING:Cross-sectional study carried out with help from the staff of the medical and social department of a rubber factory located in the municipality of Franca, São Paulo. METHOD:A questionnaire on headache characteristics was distributed to all employees. The returned and completed questionnaires were divided into two groups: with and without reports of headache. The headaches were classified into four main groups: migraine, tension-type headache (TTH), cluster headache and others. In terms of the reported frequency, headaches were also classified as chronic daily headache (CDH). RESULTS:The number of valid questionnaires was 392 (59%); 80.9% were from male and 19.1% from female employees. Headaches were reported by 120 subjects (30.6%), with 17.4% belonging to the migraine group and 8.9% to the TTH group. Migraine was more frequent (p < 0.001) among all participants and also among the women (p < 0.05). TTH was more frequent among the men (p < 0.05). CDH was identified in 14 individuals (3.6%).CONCLUSIONS: Headache was a common problem among the employees of this company and was a cause of absenteeism for 8.7% of the respondents to the questionnaire. RESUMOCONTEXTO E Objetivo: Cefaleias primárias podem ser causa de absenteísmo, e de queda no rendimento e na produtividade do trabalho. O objetivo do estudo foi estabelecer a presença e frequência de cefaleia primária em funcionários de uma empresa de solados de borracha,e sua relação com absenteísmo. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL:Estudo transversal realizado com a ajuda do pessoal do departamento médico e social de uma empresa localizada no município de Franca, São Paulo.MÉTODO: Um questionário sobre as características da cefaleia foi distribuído a todos os funcionários. Os questionários devolvidos e preenchidos foram divididos em dois grupos: com e sem relato de cefaleia. As cefaleias foram classificadas em quatro grupos principais: migrânea, cefaleia do tipo tensional (CTT), cefaleia em salvas e outras cefaleias. Através da frequência da cefaleia, foi possível a classificação em cefaleia crônica diária (CCD).RESULTADOS: O número de questionários válidos foi de 392 (59%), 80,9% questionários eram de funcionários do gênero masculino, e 19,1%, do gênero feminino. Cento e vinte (30,6%) dos funcionários relataram apresentar cefaleia, sendo que 17,4% pertenceram ao grupo migrânea e 8,93% ao grupo CTT. O diagnóstico de migrânea foi o mais frequente (p < 0,001) dentre todos, e também entre as mulheres (p < 0,05). O diagnóstico de CTT foi mais frequente entre os homens (p < 0,05). CCD foi identificada em 14 indivíduos (3,6%).CONCLUSÕES: Cefaleia é um problema frequente entre os funcionários da empresa participante da pesquisa sendo a causa de absentismo em 8,7% dos que respon...

Headache Research and Medical Practice in Brazil: An Historical Overview

“…We will mention a few other Brazilians and the IHS member under whose supervision they studied or worked with: Luiz Paulo Queiroz/Alan M. Rapoport; Fernando Kowacs/Peter Goadsby; Mario Peres/Stephen Silberstein. Marcelo Eduardo Bigal started his training in headache medicine under the supervision of José Geraldo Speciali and Carlos Bordini, finalizing both MSc and PhD theses at Ribeirao Preto School of Medicine‐USP, and receiving postdoctoral training with Richard B. Lipton in New York.…”

Effects of Synergism of Mindfulness Practice Associated With Transcranial Direct-Current Stimulation in Chronic Migraine: Pilot, Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind Clinical Trial

“…It has an estimated prevalence of 13–18% of the world population and its pathophysiology seems to be more linked to abnormalities in the neural network of pain resulting from morphofunctional alterations in brain regions such as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), mesencephalic structures and the cingulate cortex (Marcus, 2003 ; Lipton et al, 2008 ). The increase in the frequency of the crises inherent to the pathology leads to a greater central sensitization, predisposing the sufferer to a “vicious cycle of pain” (Burstein, 2001 ; Chiapparini et al, 2010 ) and further predisposing them to potential negative repercussions in the biopsychosocial sphere in the face of the frequent association with absenteeism from work, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders and decreased socialization (Mercante et al, 2005 ; Stuginski-Barbosa and Speciali, 2011 ).…”