Abstract

SANTOS, Vitorino Modesto dos et al. HEADACHE IN CHAGASIC WOMEN. Rev. Inst. Med. trop. S. Paulo [online]. 1999, vol.41, n.2, pp. 119-122. ISSN 0036-4665.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0036-46651999000200010.

The aim of this study was to compare the frequency of headache between Chagasic and Non-chagasic women. The cross-sectional study comprised 647 female ³40 years old, Chagasic (n = 362) and Controls (n = 285) at a Brazilian University Hospital. Chagasic were classified as Cardiac (n = 179), Megas (n = 58) or Indeterminate (n = 125) clinical forms. Headache was ascertained according to Headache International Society diagnostic criteria. The age (57.0 ± 11.3 versus 57.3 ± 10.4 years), and the percentage of white women (75.8% versus 77.1%) were similar between Chagasic and Controls, respectively. Headache was more prevalent among Chagasic (32.9%) than Controls (16.1%), mainly in Cardiac form (odds ratio, 2.41; 95% confidence interval, 1.38-4.23), phenomenon possibly related to parasympathetic denervation and cerebral vessels changes.

Keywords : Chagas' disease; Headache; Parasympathetic denervation.