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Jessica Balikji,1 Marlou Mackus,1 Johan Garssen,1,2 Maarten M Hoogbergen,3 Joris C Verster1,4 1Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CG, the Netherlands; 2Division of Plastic Surgery, Catharina Ziekenhuis, Eindhoven, 5623 EJ, the Netherlands; 3Global Centre of Excellence Immunology, Nutricia Danone Research, Utrecht, 3584 CT, the Netherlands; 4Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University, Melbourne, VIC, 3122, AustraliaCorrespondence: Joris C Verster, Tel +31 30 253 6909, Email j.c.verster@uu.nlBackground: Having chronic wounds and impaired wound healing are associated with psychological distress. The current study aims to evaluate migraine and headache complaints in young adults with self-reported impaired wound healing.Methods: A survey was conducted among N=1935 young adults (83.6% women), 18– 30 years old, living in the Netherlands. Wound healing status was verified, immune fitness was assessed using a single-item rating scale, and ID Migraine was completed. In addition, several questions were answered on past year’s headache experiences (including frequency, quantity, type, location, and severity).Results: In both the control group (p < 0.001) and the IWH group (p = 0.002) immune fitness was significantly lower among those that reported headaches compared to those that reported no headaches. Individuals with self-reported impaired wound healing (IWH) scored significantly higher on the ID Migraine scale, and individuals of the IWH group scored significantly more often positive for migraine (ie, an ID Migraine score ≥ 2). They reported a younger age of onset of experiencing headaches, and significantly more often reported having a beating or pounding headache than the control group. Compared to the control group, the IWH group reported being significantly more limited in their daily activities compared to the control group.Conclusion: Headaches and migraines are more frequently reported by individuals with self-reported impaired wound healing, and their reported immune fitness is significantly poorer compared to healthy controls. These headache and migraine complaints significantly limit them in their daily activities.Keywords: headache, migraine, impaired wound healing, wound infection, slow healing wounds, chronic wounds, immune fitness