PDF herunterladen
Open Access
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Eur J Dent 2020; 14(S 01): S79-S85
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1721904
Original Article

Association of Personal Protective Equipment with De Novo Headaches in Frontline Healthcare Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

Autoren

  • Rumeesha Zaheer

    1   Orthodontics Department, Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

  • Maheen Khan

    2   Prosthodontics Department, Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar, Pakistan

  • Ahmed Tanveer

    3   National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

  • Amal Farooq

    3   National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

  • Zohaib Khurshid 

    4   Department of Prosthodontics and Dental Implantology, College of Dentistry, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
Weitere Informationen
Auch verfügbar auf
  Lizenzen und Reprints

Abstract

Objectives This study aimed to determine the association of personal protective equipment (PPE) usage with new-onset headaches and exacerbation of pre-existing headache disorders among healthcare workers at the frontlines during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Materials and Methods A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted across Pakistan in June–July 2020. The study was approved by Ethical Committee, Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi (IRB form no.905/Trg-ABP 1K2). A qualitative questionnaire was developed and was shared via different social networks. The questionnaire was closed when 241 responses were received.

Statistical Analysis Descriptive analysis was performed on demographic data. Chi-squared analysis was performed between demographic data and PPE-usage patterns among participants with or without de novo headaches. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to compare variables with the development of new-onset headaches. Chi-squared test was also performed between demographic data and other factors that may be causing new-onset headaches. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results A total of 241 healthcare workers participated, of which 68 participants (28.2%) reported de novo headaches since the start of the pandemic. Incidence of pre-existing headaches (odds ratio [OR] = 1.91; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.99–0.37; p = 0.049) was associated with new-onset headaches. Post hoc multivariable logistic regression analysis stated that incidence of pre-existing headaches (OR = 1.88; 95% CI: 0.94–3.78; p = 0.75) and age (OR = 2.21; 95% CI: 0.47–10.33; p = 0.36) was independently associated with new-onset PPE-induced headaches but was not statistically significant. Chi-squared analysis showed a statistically significant relationship between other factors (sleep deprivation, emotional stress, etc.) and department of activity, gender, and occupation (p < 0.05).

Conclusion Healthcare workers with previous history of pre-existing headaches were found to be more susceptible to PPE-induced headaches during COVID-19 pandemic. However, age and the department where the healthcare workers performed may also be risk factors.

Keywords

COVID-19 - de novo headaches - healthcare workers - PPE - new-onset headaches


Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
26. Dezember 2020

© 2020. European Journal of Dentistry. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial-License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
A-12, Second Floor, Sector -2, NOIDA -201301, India