Epidemiology of tension-type headache in Santiago, Chile: a prevalence study

Objective: To describe the importance of tension-type headache (TTH) in Santiago, Chile, by analyzing its prevalence, clinical features, and impact by age, gender, and socioeconomic status, using widely accepted international diagnostic criteria. Methods: In 1993, a representative sample of 1540 adults (older than 14) of the province of Santiago were interviewed using a standard questionnaire. A total of 1385 (89.9% response rate) subjects responded to the survey. Initially, a designated member of each household responded to the questionnaire. Subsequently, each household member with headache was asked to respond to questions about the severity, frequency, location, duration, associated symptoms, and impact in work and social activities of their most frequent headaches. TTH diagnoses were determined in accordance with the International Headache Society criteria of 1988. Results: Total prevalence was found to be 26.9% (95% CI: 24.6–29.3%); 35.2% in females (95% CI: 31.7–38.8%) and 18.1% in males (95% CI: 15.2–21.3%). The prevalence of episodic TTH was 24.3% (95% CI: 22.1–26.7%) and of chronic TTH 2.6% (95% CI: 1.8–3.6%). Overall, and by subtype, prevalence was significantly higher in females (ratio 1:9). There was no significant variation in prevalence by socioeconomic or age group except in chronic TTH, in which there was an increase with age. Conclusions: TTH is a prevalent condition in a sample of adults of Santiago, similar to that reported in previous studies using similar methodologies. Overall, TTH represents 72.3% of all recurrent headaches.     

Migraine headaches in adolescents: a student population-based study in Monreale

We assessed the prevalence of migraine headaches in an epidemiological survey of an 11 to 14-year-old student population. Migraine headaches were classified on the basis of questionnaires and neurological examination using the operational diagnostic criteria of the International Headache Society. Prevalence of migraine without aura (IHS code 1.1) was 2.35%; that of migraine with aura (IHS code 1.2) was 0.62%. Migraine without aura was equally distributed among males and females, whereas migraine with aura was preponderant in the female cohort. The prevalence of migraine headaches in males was constant through the ages studied, whereas the prevalence of migraine headaches in females reached a peak at age 12 and plateaued over the following two years. Although the new IHS classification criteria of migraines are reliable and exhaustive, some subcriteria may not be valid in a juvenile population. For instance, the duration of the pain in young migraineurs is often briefer than in adults, and the intensity of pain was almost always described as moderate or severe. Therefore, in order to increase the reliability and comprehensiveness of the IHS classification, minor modifications should be made.     

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of migraine in Sivas,Turkey

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the epidemiology of migraine in Sivas, Turkey, including its prevalence, clinical characteristics, and impact according to age, sex, and socioeconomic status. METHODS: Thirteen hundred twenty subjects were personally interviewed by a neurologist. Each household member with headache was asked questions regarding their headaches including age at onset, frequency, duration, character, location, severity, aggravating and ameliorating factors, and prodromal and associated symptoms. Migraine diagnoses were determined in accordance with the classification criteria of the International Headache Society. RESULTS: Migraine was identified in 173 subjects (45 males and 128 females), and lifetime prevalence of migraine was 7.9% (95% CI, 5.66 to 10.1) in males and 17.1% (95% CI, 14 to 20) in females. Aura was reported by 1.4% of males and 3.3% of females. CONCLUSION: Migraine prevalence in Turkey is similar to that reported in Europe and the United States.     

Migraine prevalence and some related factors in Turkey

OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study is to determine the prevalence of migraine in Provincial Center of Edirne. METHODS: A systematic random sample of 386 inhabitants over 14 years old were interviewed face to face. Diagnosis of migraine was based on the International Headache Society (IHS) classification. RESULTS: Migraine was identified in 77 subjects (60 female, 17 male). The lifetime prevalence of migraine was found to be 19.9% (95% CI: 18.3-21.5) (9.34% (95% CI: 8.6-10) in males, 29.3% (95% CI: 27-31.6) in females). CONCLUSIONS: These results show that while migraine prevalence in Turkish females is higher than that reported in previous studies from Europe and United States, lifetime prevalence is similar in all populations.     

Consulting behaviour in migraine and tension-type headache sufferers: a population survey in Santiago, Chile

Migraine and tension-type headaches are the most frequent types of headaches in Santiago. The purpose of this paper is to describe the patterns of health care utilization in migraine and compare them with tension-type headache sufferers in a community-based study of the prevalence of headache in Santiago, Chile. A two-step questionnaire was administered to an age- and gender-representative sample of 1540 eligible subjects who were aged 15 years or older. Of these, 1385 (89.9%) responded. Cases were defined according to the most frequent type of headache experienced in the last year. Migraine and tension-type headaches were diagnosed according to a questionnaire-based algorithm constructed using the IHS criteria. Consultation rates in migraneurs were significantly (P < 0.01) higher (63%) than in tension-type headache suffers (39%). Migraneurs were more likely to be female, younger and less educated, and had more severe attacks than those with tension-type headache. Female sex, younger age, fewer years of education in migraneurs and younger age and moderate or severe headache in tension-type headache sufferers were found to be independently associated with the likelihood of ever consulting, respectively. Migraneurs are more likely to consult than tension-type headache suffers in this population.     

Prevalence and correlates of migraine among women attending a prenatal care clinic in Lima, Peru

Migraine headaches are among the leading causes of disability in the world. The burden of migraines is highest in women of reproductive age. This cross-sectional study characterized the prevalence, symptoms and correlates of migrainous headaches in 154 pregnant women attending a prenatal care clinic in Lima, Peru. Lifetime prevalence of migraine defined by modified IHS criteria was 9.1% (95% CI 4.6-13.6). When probable migraines were included, the lifetime prevalence of migraine in this population was 29.2% (95% CI 22.0-36.4). Migraine headaches were associated with a maternal history of headache, childhood carsickness, a diagnosis of allergies, and a high frequency of fatigue. Although headache-related disability was low in terms of missed work and recreation, high rates of headache pain and medicinal use reflect the true impact on this population.     

Effect of age on the fulfilment of the IHS criteria for migraine in children at a headache clinic

In a headache clinic, 247 children suffering from severe recurrent headaches were studied in relation to the IHS criteria for migraine. Of the 247, 163 had migrainous headache, with 110 (67.5%) of these having migraine in accordance with the IHS criteria. The remaining 53 (32.5%) had headache attacks fulfilling all but one of the IHS criteria. Coverage of the IHS criteria for migraine was 93%. Symptoms of unilateral headache, aggravation by physical activity, and nausea showed the greatest differences in frequency between those with migraine and those with probable migraine. All children with aura fulfilled criteria for migraine. Children with migraine with aura (11.8, 95% CI: 11.0–12.6 years) were older than those without aura (10.1, 9.4–10.8 years; p = 0.001). Children with pulsating headache were slightly older than children without pulsating headache. No differences in age were detected for the other IHS criteria.     

Epidemiology of migraine among students from randomly selected secondary schools in Lodz

The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence of migraine among 2351 secondary school students aged 15 to 19 years. Six hundred fifty-nine students (120 males and 539 females) complained of migraine, including 148 with additional tension-type headache (mixed headache). Migraine with aura was diagnosed in 213 students (49 with mixed headache). The remaining 446 students (99 with mixed headache) had migraine without aura. In 83 students (16 with mixed headache), headaches were developing into migrainous states. In 237 students (56 with mixed headache), headaches were accompanied by dizziness. In 128 females (25 with mixed headache), interrelation between migraine and menstruation was found. Familial factors affecting the occurrence of migraine were noted in 536 students (127 with mixed headache). It was found that 28% of secondary school students aged 15 to 19 years suffer from migraine. Nine percent of them have migraine with aura and 19%, migraine without aura. The prevalence of migraine among secondary school students is about three times higher in females than in males. Migraine with tension-type headache differs from pure migraine in respect of more numerous attacks within 1 year among females, and of more frequent occurrence of migraine with sensory aura among males.     

A prospective study of migraine with aura attacks in a headache clinic population

In order to investigate the prevalence of migraine with aura (MA) attacks according to the criteria set by the International Headache Society (IHS) for diagnosis down to the three-digit level of classification, and to determine the recurrence and possible variability of MA attacks over time, we conducted a 6-15-month-long prospective study on 64 MA patients (42 women and 22 men) consecutively referred for the first time to the University of Parma Headache Centre. At the end of the follow-up period, diagnosis was the same as at the first visit for 80.0% of patients, while it was changed for 20.0%. Throughout the duration of the study, the average number of attacks for each patient was 5.3 +/- 6.2 (range 0-30). Attacks of migraine with typical aura were the most frequent (69.1% of patients), but migraine aura without headache (29.1%) and migraine with prolonged aura (20.0%) were also common; by contrast, basilar migraine and migraine with acute onset aura were reported only by one patient in either case. Migraine aura without headache was statistically significantly more frequent in males than in females. Our study results suggest that in most cases the frequency of recurrent MA attacks is relatively low and provide interesting indications about the prevalence of the different MA subtypes listed in the IHS classification, albeit in a headache clinic population.     

Prevalence and burden of migraine in the United States: data from the American Migraine Study II

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence, sociodemographic profile, and the burden of migraine in the United States in 1999 and to compare results with the original American Migraine Study, a 1989 population-based study employing identical methods. METHODS: A validated, self-administered questionnaire was mailed to a sample of 20 000 households in the United States. Each household member with severe headache was asked to respond to questions about symptoms, frequency, and severity of headaches and about headache-related disability. Diagnostic criteria for migraine were based on those of the International Headache Society. This report is restricted to individuals 12 years and older. RESULTS: Of the 43 527 age-eligible individuals, 29 727 responded to the questionnaire for a 68.3% response rate. The prevalence of migraine was 18.2% among females and 6.5% among males. Approximately 23% of households contained at least one member suffering from migraine. Migraine prevalence was higher in whites than in blacks and was inversely related to household income. Prevalence increased from aged 12 years to about aged 40 years and declined thereafter in both sexes. Fifty-three percent of respondents reported that their severe headaches caused substantial impairment in activities or required bed rest. Approximately 31% missed at least 1 day of work or school in the previous 3 months because of migraine; 51% reported that work or school productivity was reduced by at least 50%. CONCLUSIONS: Two methodologically identical national surveys in the United States conducted 10 years apart show that the prevalence and distribution of migraine have remained stable over the last decade. Migraine-associated disability remains substantial and pervasive. The number of migraineurs has increased from 23.6 million in 1989 to 27.9 million in 1999 commensurate with the growth of the population. Migraine is an important target for public health interventions because it is highly prevalent and disabling.     

A Community-Based Prevalence :Study on Headache in Malaysia

This community study on headache in Malaysia was based on IHS diagnostic criteria and showed the last-year prevalence of migraine was 9.0%. Migraine with aura accounted for only 10.6% of the migrainous population. The last-year prevalence of tension headache was 26.5% (94.4% episodic, 5.6% chronic) and 28.2% for other types of headache. No case of cluster headache was found. Almost two thirds of the migraine subjects graded their headaches as severe, while almost 60% of the tension headache subjects and almost 70% of the other headache subjects graded their headaches as mild.
Overall, there was higher prevalence in females for migraine and tension headache, and in males for the other types of headache. The prevalence of headache was lower among those younger than 15 and older than 65 years of age. No significant differences were found in the prevalence of headache among the different racial groups nor among the urban versus the rural population.
All the headache types shared the same triggering factors suggesting that different physiological characteristics are responsible for the type of pain suffered. In the location of this community with its tropical climate, headache was attributed to sun exposure in 51.9% of the migraine subjects, 55.7% of the tension headache subjects, and 36.6% of the group with other headaches.     

The effects of a sensitisation campaign on unrecognised migraine: the Casilino study

A striking feature of migraine is the difference between the estimated migraine prevalence and the actual number of migraineurs consulting their general practitioners (GPs). We investigated the impact of a sensitisation campaign on migraine in a large cohort of patients, living in a district of Rome. The study involved 10 GPs and a population of about 12 000 people, contacted by mail and posters located in GP clinics. Both the letter and poster stressed the impact of headache on quality of life and included the Italian version of the three-item Identification of Migraine (ID Migraine) screening test, consisting of questions on disability, nausea and photophobia. If the subjects suffered from headaches, they were invited to contact their GPs for a visit and a free consultation with a headache expert. By means of this sensitisation campaign, 195 headache patients consulted their GPs. Ninety-two percent of them (n=179) were migraineurs; 73% of them had never consulted a physician for headache. The ID Migraine test had a sensitivity of 0.92 (95% CI 0.86–0.95), a specificity of 0.75 (95% CI 0.47–0.91) and a positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.97 (95% CI 0.93–0.99) for a clinical diagnosis of migraine, according to the International Headache Society (IHS) criteria. This study confirms that a large number of migraine patients never see a doctor for their headache. This awareness campaign is likely to identify the severest cases of undiagnosed migraineurs. However, mailing campaigns do not seem to be so effective in bringing undiagnosed migraine patients into the primary care setting, and more efficient strategies have to be planned.     

Responsiveness of non-IHS migraine and tension-type headache to sumatriptan

In a long-term efficacy and satiety study, 424 patients were treated with sumatriptan (6 mg sc) for 1,904 migraine attacks. The patients were diagnosed with migraine based on IHS criteria but individual migraine attacks treated in the study were physician diagnosed; not necessarily required to meet IHS criteria. A re-analysis of the treatment response to open label sumatriptan (6 mg sc) indicated that 43 patients had treated at least one migraine that fulfilled IHS criteria for tension-type headache. Analysis of this population revealed they treated 232 headaches. Of these headaches, 114 were classified per IHS criteria as migraine; 76 as tension-type; and 42 as. non-IHS migraine (not classifiable as IHS migraine or IHS tension-type headache). Of the 114 migraines a positive response to sumatriptan occurred in 109 (96%) cases; of the 76 tension-types, 73 responded to sumatriptan (97%); of the 42 non-IHS migraine, 40 (95%) responded to sumatriptan. An equivalent response to sumatriptan among three diagnostic groups of headache supports the concept of a common biologic mechanism involving 5HT₁ receptors that spans a range of clinical presentations.     

A pivotal moment in 50 years of headache history: the first American Migraine Study

Objective.— To describe the magnitude and distribution of the public health problem posed by migraine in the United States by examining migraine prevalence, attack frequency, and attack‐related disability by gender, age, race, household income, geographic region, and urban vs rural residence. Design.— In 1989, a self‐administered questionnaire was sent to a sample of 15,000 households. A designated member of each household initially responded to the questionnaire. Each household member with severe headache was asked to respond to detailed questions about symptoms, frequency, and severity of headaches. Setting.— A sample of households selected from a panel to be representative of the US population in terms of age, gender, household size, and geographic area. Participants.— After a single mailing, 20,468 subjects (63.4% response rate) between 12 and 80 Years of age responded to the survey. Respondents and nonrespondents did not differ by gender, household income, region of the country, or urban vs rural status. Whites and the elderly were more likely to respond. Migraine headache cases were identified on the basis of reported symptoms using established diagnostic criteria. Results.— In total, 17.6% of females and 5.7% of males were found to have 1 or more migraine headaches per year. The prevalence of migraine varied considerably by age and was highest in both men and women between the ages of 35 to 45 years. Migraine prevalence was strongly associated with household income; prevalence in the lowest‐income group (less than $10,000) was more than 60% higher than in the 2 highest‐income groups (greater than or equal to $30,000). The proportion of migraine sufferers who experienced moderate to severe disability was not related to gender, age, income, urban vs rural residence, or region of the country. In contrast, the frequency of headaches was lower in higher‐income groups. Attack frequency was inversely related to disability. Conclusions.— A projection to the US population suggests that 8.7 million females and 2.6 million males suffer from migraine headache with moderate to severe disability. Of these, 3.4 million females and 1.1 million males experience 1 or more attacks per month. Females between ages 30 and 49 years from lower‐income households are at especially high risk of having migraines and are more likely than other groups to use emergency care services for their acute condition.     

Migraine Among University Students in Cotonou (Benin)

Background.— Few data are available on migraine among students in Africa. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of migraine and describe its clinical features and associated conditions among students of the Faculty of Health Sciences of Abomey-Calavi University, in Cotonou, Benin.
Methods.— A cross-sectional study was prospectively conducted during the academic year 2002-2003 and included 336 students selected using systematic random sampling. Migraine was defined according International Headache Society criteria 1988.
Results.— The lifetime prevalence of migraine was 11.3% (95% CI: 8.2-15.3%). The prevalence was significantly higher in females (18.3%) than males (6.8%), in married-widowed (30.4%) than single (9.9%). The mean age at onset of the disease was 15.0 years ± 2.5. Migraine without aura was the more frequent form (57.9%). The mean attack frequency per month was 3.8 (±3.4) and the peak attack duration was between 4 and 6 hours. Psychological tiredness was the most frequent triggering factors (92.1%). The factors associated with migraine in multivariate analysis were female sex (OR = 2.6 [95% CI: 1.2-5.3]), single marital status (OR = 3.7 [95% CI: 1.2-11.9]) and presence of a family history of headache (OR = 2.9 [95% CI: 1.0-8.1])
Conclusion.— Migraine was frequent in students in Cotonou (Benin) compared with other studies in Africa.     

Migraine and probable migraine--results of FRAMIG 3, a French nationwide survey carried out according to the 2004 IHS classification

The 2004 International Headache Society (IHS) classification of headache disorders introduced the new category of probable migraine defined by the existence of all but one of typical migraine criteria. FRAMIG 3, the first nationwide population-based survey performed in France using the 2004 IHS classification, assessed the prevalence of probable migraine and compared its features and management with those of strict migraine. Of a representative sample of 10 532 adult subjects interviewed, 1179 subjects (11.2%) were diagnosed as having strict migraine and 1066 (10.1%) as having probable migraine. The criterion most frequently missing was typical headache duration (4–72 h) and most subjects with probable headache had shorter average headache duration. Migraine severity and disability, although lower than those noted in subjects with strict migraine, were significant in subjects with probable migraine and quality of life impairment was identical among the two groups of migraine sufferers. Strict and probable migraine, which have similar prevalence and impact on migraine subjects, deserve similar medical and therapeutic management.     

Allergy and Immunotherapy: Are They Related to Migraine Headache?

(Headache 2011;51:8‐20) Introduction.— Several studies have reported that migraine headaches are more common in patients with allergic rhinitis and that immunotherapy decreases the frequency of headache in atopic headache sufferers. Objective.— To determine if the degree of allergic sensitization and the administration of immunotherapy are associated with the prevalence, frequency, and disability of migraine headache in patients with allergic rhinitis. Methods.— Consecutive patients between the ages of 18‐65 presenting to an allergy practice that received a diagnosis of an allergic rhinitis subtype (eg, allergic or mixed rhinitis) were enrolled in this study. All participants underwent allergy testing as well as a structured verbal headache diagnostic interview to ascertain the clinical characteristics of each headache type. Those reporting headaches were later assigned a headache diagnosis by a headache specialist blinded to the rhinitis diagnosis based on 2004 International Classification Headache Disorders‐2 (ICHD‐2) diagnostic criteria. Migraine prevalence was defined as the percentage of patients with a diagnosis of migraine headache (ICHD‐2 diagnoses 1.1‐1.5). Migraine frequency represented the number of days per month with migraine headache self‐reported during the headache interview and migraine disability was the number of days with disability obtained from the Migraine Disability Assessment questionnaire. Generalized linear models were used to analyze the migraine prevalence, frequency, and disability with the degree of allergic sensitization (percentage of positive allergy tests) and administration of immunotherapy as covariates. Patients were categorized into high (> 45% positiveallergy tests) and low (≤45% positive allergy tests) atopic groups based on the number of allergy tests that were positive for the frequency and disability analyses. Results.— A total of 536 patients (60% female, mean age 40.9 years) participated in the study. The prevalence of migraine was not associated with the degree of allergic sensitization, but there was a significant age/immunotherapy interaction (P < .02). Migraine headaches were less prevalent in the immunotherapy group than the nonimmunotherapy at ages <40 years and more prevalent in the immunotherapy group at ages ≥40 years of age. In subjects ≤45 years of age, increasing percentages of allergic sensitization were associated with a decreased frequency and disability of migraine headache in the low atopic group (risk ratios [RRs] of 0.80 [95% CI; 0.65, 0.99] and 0.81[95% CI; 0.68, 0.97]) while increasing percentages were associated with an increased frequency (not disability) in the high atopic group (RR = 1.60; [95% CI; 1.11, 2.29]). In subjects ≤45 years of age, immunotherapy was associated with decreased migraine frequency and disability (RRs of 0.48 [95% CI; 0.28, 0.83] and 0.55 [95% CI; 0.35, 0.87]). In those >45 years of age, there was no effect of degree of allergic sensitization or immunotherapy on the frequency and disability of migraine headache. Conclusions.— Our study suggests that the association of allergy with migraine headaches depends upon age, degree of allergic sensitization, administration of immunotherapy, and the type of headache outcome measure that are studied. Lower “degrees of atopy” are associated with less frequent and disabling migraine headaches in younger subjects while higher degrees were associated with more frequent migraines. The administration of immunotherapy is associated with a decreased prevalence, frequency, and disability of migraine headache in younger subjects.     

MIG ACCESS: a population-based, nationwide, comparative survey of access to care in migraine in France

A national control-matched survey was conducted in France to evaluate the access of migraineurs to health care. A validated IHS criteria-based diagnostic procedure for screening was conducted in adults drawn from a sample of 6,000 house holds. A group of 650 subjects fulfilling the IHS criteria for migraine were matched by sex, age and activity status with a group of non-headache, non-migraine controls. Response rates were 87% and 82% for the migraineurs and the controls, respectively. The comparability of the groups was demonstrated by the absence of statistical differences between either respondents versus non-respondents or migraineurs versus controls for sex, age and occupation. The 3-month prevalence of migraine was estimated at 13% (95% CI: 12–14). The health care consumption of migraineurs was not higher than that of the controls. Migraineurs rarely consult for headaches and seem to content themselves with their routine analgesic treatment. They believe, however, that improvement in their condition is possible and discuss this with their physicians. This ambivalent attitude mainly reflects a fatalistic outlet which may constitute the major obstacle of an improved management of migraine.     

A nationwide survey of migraine in France: prevalence and clinical features in adults

In November 1990 a nationwide survey of migraine was conducted in France on a representative sample of residents aged 15 years and older. The diagnosis of migraine was based on the International Headache Society (IHS) classification. In a previous study, we validated a diagnostic algorithm which classifies headache sufferers as IHS migraine, "borderline" migraine, possible migraine and non-migrainous headache. The overall prevalence of migraine patients with the IHS criteria in the present study was 8.1%; another 4% were classified as "borderline" migraine, which we in fact considered as definite migraine. Age, gender and occupation were found to be risk factors for migraine. Neither frequency and duration of attacks nor length of time of disease differed with gender. Expressed intensity of attacks, however, was greater in females.     

A nationwide survey of migraine in France: prevalence and clinical features in adults. GRIM.

In November 1990 a nationwide survey of migraine was conducted in France on a representative sample of residents aged 15 years and older. The diagnosis of migraine was based on the International Headache Society (IHS) classification. In a previous study, we validated a diagnostic algorithm which classifies headache sufferers as IHS migraine, "borderline" migraine, possible migraine and non-migrainous headache. The overall prevalence of migraine patients with the IHS criteria in the present study was 8.1%; another 4% were classified as "borderline" migraine, which we in fact considered as definite migraine. Age, gender and occupation were found to be risk factors for migraine. Neither frequency and duration of attacks nor length of time of disease differed with gender. Expressed intensity of attacks, however, was greater in females.