Incidence and associated factors of post-dural puncture headache among orthopaedic patients after spinal anesthesia: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) is one of a complication of spinal anaesthesia, influenced mostly by various factors including the patient’s age, spinal needle size and design and sex. This headache can be severe and debilitating, preventing ambulation and limiting daily living activities. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the incidence and associated factors of PDPH among patients who received spinal anaesthesia for orthopaedic procedures at the Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from June to August 2022 METHODS: Prospective cohort study design was employed using Consecutive sampling method among patients who received spinal anaesthesia for orthopaedics procedure at Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from June to August 2022. Data were collected by face to face interview and direct observation based on questionnaire. The data were entered to epidata 4.6 and analyzed by SPSS version 20 software. A total 95 patients aged 16–75 was participated in study. Those independent variable that were significant on binary logistic regression at P less than 0.2, were analyzed on multivariate regression, and considered significant association with PDPH at P value less than 0.05. RESULT: Ninety-five study participants were included in our study of which 19 (20%) had developed PDPH. Among patients who develop PDPH; 9.5% of the patients reported moderate pain while 10.5% experience mild PDPH and 80% of patient has no pain. The BMI and age were found to have significant association with PDPH [(P value 0.018, adjusted odds ratio 8.738, 95% CI, 1.461–52.269) and (P value 0.011, adjusted odds ratio 12.146, 95% CI, 1.753–84.170)], respectively) to PDPH. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: The incidence of PDPH was found to be higher in Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. The hospital management and the anaesthetists should minimize the magnitude of by strictly following different preventive strategies.