Brain Structural Abnormalities in Patients with Post-COVID-19 Headache

NCT06825741 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: IG/296-1/2025/1
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Introduction: The clinical manifestations of the COVID-19 pandemic are heterogeneous and may include various symptoms (gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, neurological). Approximately 25% of patients report headache as a neurological symptom, making it the fifth most common symptom. These headaches may arise from structural brain changes associated with the infection. Purpose: This study aims to identify the structural abnormalities observed in brain MRI that correlate with chronic headaches in patients who had COVID-19 infection. Methods: The study included 30 patients with post-COVID-19 headaches and 30 control patients with no history of COVID-19. Demographic characteristics were analyzed using t-tests and chi-square tests. MRI findings were categorized into six types: cortical atrophy, white matter lesions, vascular lesions, lacunar lesions, vascular encephalopathy, and sinusitis. Differences in MRI findings between the two groups were evaluated using chi-square tests. Secondary outcomes included the analysis of symptoms accompanying headaches, diagnoses following MRI, and treatments applied.

Conditions

COVID-19; Headache; MRI

Keywords

COVID-19; headache; MRI; brain; white matter lesion

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Number of Participants with Specific Structural Brain Abnormalities Observed on MRI

  Brain MRI scans were analyzed to determine the number of participants with specific structural abnormalities, including white matter lesions, cortical atrophy, vascular encephalopathy, lacunar infarcts, and sinusitis. Each abnormality was evaluated separately, and the number of participants affected by each type was recorded.

  From September 2020 to December 2022

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Number of Participants Reporting Additional Symptoms Associated with Post-COVID-19 Headache

  From September 2020 to December 2022

• Number of Participants Diagnosed with Specific Conditions After MRI

  From September 2020 to December 2022

• Number of Participants Receiving Specific Treatment Approaches for Post-COVID-19 Headache

  From September 2020 to December 2022

Study Arms (2)

Post-COVID-19 Headache Group

Participants in this group had a history of COVID-19 infection and developed persistent headaches afterward. They underwent brain MRI to assess potential structural abnormalities. Exclusion criteria included pre-existing neurological disorders or other conditions that could explain the headaches.

Other: Observational Study - No intervention

Control Group

Participants in this group had no history of COVID-19 infection and no reported chronic headaches or neurological conditions. They underwent brain MRI for unrelated medical reasons and served as a comparison group to evaluate the prevalence of structural brain abnormalities in post-COVID headache patients.

Other: Observational Study - No intervention

Interventions

Observational Study - No intervention OTHER

This is an observational study evaluating brain structural abnormalities in post-COVID headache patients. No experimental intervention is applied.

Control Group; Post-COVID-19 Headache Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consisted of adult patients (≥18 years) with persistent headaches following COVID-19 infection who were referred for brain MRI to investigate potential structural abnormalities. A control group of individuals without a history of COVID-19 infection or chronic headaches was included for comparison. Exclusion criteria included prior neurological diseases, recent head trauma, and MRI contraindications.

You may qualify if:

• Age ≥18 years
• History of COVID-19 infection
• Persistent headache following COVID-19 infection
• Brain MRI requested by the attending physician

You may not qualify if:

• Prior neurological disease or disorder
• MRI contraindications (e.g., pacemaker, metal implants, claustrophobia)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Pecs: lead

Study Sites (1)

Szent Margit Hospital

Budapest, 1032, Hungary

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Szephelyi K, Kora S, Orsi G, Tollar J. Brain Structural Abnormalities in Patients with Post-COVID-19 Headache. Neurol Int. 2025 Mar 26;17(4):50. doi: 10.3390/neurolint17040050.

  PMID: 40278421 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

COVID-19; Headache

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pneumonia, Viral; Pneumonia; Respiratory Tract Infections; Infections; Virus Diseases; Coronavirus Infections; Coronaviridae Infections; Nidovirales Infections; RNA Virus Infections; Lung Diseases; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: RETROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 11, 2025
• First Posted: February 13, 2025
• Study Start: September 1, 2020
• Primary Completion: December 31, 2022
• Study Completion: December 31, 2022
• Last Updated: February 17, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share

Locations

HU (1)