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

NCT ID: NCT06825741

Last Updated: 2025-02-17

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Total Enrollment

60 participants

Study Classification

OBSERVATIONAL

Study Start Date

2020-09-01

Study Completion Date

2022-12-31

Brief Summary

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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.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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COVID-19 Headache MRI

Study Design

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Observational Model Type

CASE_CONTROL

Study Time Perspective

RETROSPECTIVE

Study Groups

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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.

Observational Study - No intervention

Intervention Type OTHER

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

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.

Observational Study - No intervention

Intervention Type OTHER

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

Interventions

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Observational Study - No intervention

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

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

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

Exclusion Criteria

* Prior neurological disease or disorder
* MRI contraindications (e.g., pacemaker, metal implants, claustrophobia)
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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University of Pecs

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Locations

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Szent Margit Hospital

Budapest, , Hungary

Site Status

Countries

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Hungary

References

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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.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 40278421 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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IG/296-1/2025/1

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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