Global prevalence and pathogenesis of headache in COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of headache in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and assess its association as a predictor for COVID-19. also aimed discuss possible pathogenesis COVID-19. Methods: Available articles from PubMed, Scopus, Web Science were searched September 2nd, 2020. Data on characteristics study, COVID-19 extracted following PRISMA guidelines. Biases assessed using Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The cumulative calculated general population (i.e. adults children). pooled odd ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) Z test between presence cases. Results: We included 104,751 cases 78 eligible studies calculate global 17 25.2% (26,464 out cases). Headache found be more prevalent, approximately by two-fold, patients than non-COVID-19 (other respiratory viral infections), OR: 1.73; CI: 1.94, 2.5 p=0.04. Conclusion: is common among seems compared those infection. No definitive mechanisms how emerges but several hypotheses have been proposed. However, extensive are warranted elucidate mechanisms. PROSPERO registration: CRD42020210332 (28/09/2020)