Headache during SARS‐CoV‐2 infection as an early symptom associated with a more benign course of disease: a case–control study

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:sec><jats:title>Background and purpose</jats:title><jats:p>Headache is an important manifestation during SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. In this study, the aim was to identify factors associated with headache in COVID‐19 and headache characteristics.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods</jats:title><jats:p>This case–control study includes COVID‐19 hospitalized patients with pneumonia during March 2020. Controls comprise COVID‐19 patients without headache and the cases are COVID‐19 patients with headache. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were obtained from the medical records. Headache characteristics were evaluated by semi‐structured telephonic interview after discharge.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>Of a total of 379 COVID‐19 patients, 48 (13%) developed headache. Amongst these, 30 (62%) were men and the median age was 57.9 (47–73) years. Headache was associated with younger age, fewer comorbidities and reduced mortality, as well as with low levels of C‐reactive protein, mild acute respiratory distress syndrome and oropharyngeal symptoms. A logistic multiple regression model revealed that headache was directly associated with D‐dimer and creatinine levels, the use of high flow nasal cannula and arthromyalgia, whilst urea levels, beta‐lactamic treatment and hypertension were negatively associated with headache. COVID‐19‐associated headache characteristics were available for 23/48 (48%) patients. Headache was the onset symptom in 8/20 (40%) patients, of mild or moderate intensity in 17/20 (85%) patients, with oppressive characteristics in 17/18 (94%) and of holocranial 8/19 (42%) or temporal 7/19 (37%) localization.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusions</jats:title><jats:p>Our results show that headache is associated with a more benign SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. COVID‐19‐associated headache appears as an early symptom and as a novel headache with characteristics of headache attributed to systemic viral infection. Further research addressing the underlying mechanisms to confirm these findings is warranted.</jats:p></jats:sec>