The relationship between pesticide exposures and primary headaches in adults: A cross-sectional study based on Rafsanjan cohort study

Abstract

Objectives

Toxic substances can trigger headaches. The prevalence of pesticide use and headaches was high among the population of Rafsanjan.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was used to collect data from 9991 adults who participated via sampling people aged 35–70 years old of both genders from the Rafsanjan Cohort Study (RCS) in Iran. Demographic characteristics, habits, chronic primary headache (CPH), and episodic primary headache (EPH) were measured.

Results

The prevalence of CPH and EPH were 7.4 % and 29.9 % respectively. The multivariable model showed the odds of EPH increased significantly by the pesticide exposure on farm OR: 1.16 (1.02–1.34), in yard OR: 1.18 (1.01–1.39), duration of pesticide exposure in yard > median OR: 1.35 (1.06–1.73), at home OR: 1.31 (1.17–1.46), duration of pesticide exposure at home ≤ median OR: 1.24 (1.10–1.40) and > median OR: 1.38 (1.22–1.57). Also, pesticide preparation OR: 1.20 (1.03–1.39), duration of exposure in pesticide preparation ≤ median OR: 1.31 (1.09–1.57), and duration of exposure in managed spraying pesticide > median OR: 1.28 (1.04–1.57) increased odds of EPH. These results showed that the odds of CPH increased in participants using pesticides at home OR: 1.22 (1.02–1.48), duration of pesticide exposure at home > median OR: 1.37 (1.11–1.70), and duration of pesticide exposure in pesticide preparation > median OR: 0.47 (0.27–0.82). The odds of EPH increased with more pesticide exposures (18 %) and duration of pesticide exposure (25 %).

Conclusions

As evidenced by the obtained results, there is a relationship between pesticide exposure and headaches.