Correlation between depression level and headache severity: A study among medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Headache is the most prevailing disorder and third leading cause of disability worldwide. The prevalence primary headaches has been reported to increase by 2-4 times in patients with psychiatric comorbidities, including depression. This study sought assess correlation between depression level headache severity among medical students. To best our knowledge, this first evaluate Indonesia. A cross-sectional was conducted students Airlangga University 2021. headache, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-42) Impact Test 6 (HIT-6) were used, respectively. set validated questionnaires used students’ demographic characteristics. total 82 included them female (86.6%). third-semester represented highest proportion (45.2%) subjects. mean age body mass index (BMI) 19.88 ± 1.03 22.55±4.44, average DASS-42 score 10.98±11.47 which indicated a mild level. HIT-6 45.74±6.130 revealed impact. data Spearman suggested that significantly correlated (r=0.396, p<0.001). provides insights on importance stress management prevention decrease risk vice versa.