Headache and Osmophobia in Gas Station Workers Exposed to Gasoline Odor

Abstract

Introduction: Headache attacks may be triggered by several factors, among them odors, especially in migraine patients.

Objectives: The aim of this study wasto determine the association between gasoline odor and headache attacks in patients with migraine or tension-type headache (TTH).

Subjects and methods: The study was prospective, cross-sectional, with comparison of groups, using nonrandom sample and convenience. Fifty-two gas station workers diagnosed with migraine or TTH according to ICHD-3 criteria were interviewed on the relationship between gasoline odor and headache.

Results: Of the 52 gas station workers with headaches, there were 39 (75%) with migraine without aura and 13 (25%) with TTH. The age ranged from 19 to 50 years, with a mean of 29.5 ± 7.2 years. Osmophobia during headache attacks predominated in workers with migraine (29/39; 74.4%). The onset of headache due to odor exposure occurred in 23/39 (60%) of the workers with migraine and in 2/13 (15.4%) in TTH. These differences were statistically significant (χ2 = 7.4; p = 0.016). Osmophobia in the absence of pain (period between attacks) predominated in workers with migraine (17/39, 43.6%), but with no statistical value.

Conclusions: Gas station workers diagnosed with migraine or TTH may experience osmophobia and headache triggered by the odor of gasoline.

Keywords: Gasoline; Migraine; Odors; Osmophobia.