Impact of Primary Headache Disorders on Academic Performance in University Students

Abstract

Virtually the entire population reports having experienced at least one or more episodes of headache throughout their lifetime. It is estimated that more than half of the adult population, regardless of biological sex, has experienced at least one headache episode within the past year. On a global scale, headache disorders are frequently underestimated, underrecognized, and undertreated. A significant number of primary headaches, such as migraine and tension-type headaches generate major disruptions in people's daily lives due to the accompanying disability, with a profound impact on occupational, professional, and social functioning. Only a small fraction of patients with recurrent headaches receives an accurate diagnosis and appropriate management from qualified healthcare professionals. The young population, particularly during adolescence, post adolescence and early adulthood, are notably vulnerable to these types of headaches. Their occurrence among university students of both sexes carries a unique connotation due to the high-stress environments, academic obligations, sleep disorders, etc., to which these individuals are usually immersed. This study aims to conduct a review of the existing literature related to the academic impact that these headache disorders, particularly migraine, may have on university students.