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Related Experiment Videos

Gender differences in treatment-seeking chronic headache sufferers.

D A Marcus1

  • 1Pain Evaluation & Treatment Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.

Headache
|September 14, 2001
PubMed
Summary

Chronic headache patients seeking treatment show no gender differences in symptoms but men report greater disability. Headache triggers are gender-specific, with similar depression and anxiety levels in both men and women.

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Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Psychiatry
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Previous general population studies indicate gender differences in headache presentation, with women experiencing more severe symptoms.
  • This study focuses on a clinical population seeking treatment for chronic headache.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate gender-specific differences in chronic headache patients attending a clinic.
  • To compare headache symptoms, frequency, disability, and psychological distress between men and women.

Main Methods:

  • Evaluated 258 consecutive patients at a university headache clinic using questionnaires.
  • Compared men and women on headache symptoms, severity, frequency, triggers, depression, anxiety, and treatment response.

Main Results:

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  • No gender differences observed in headache symptoms, frequency, severity, or duration.
  • Headache triggers were gender-specific (exercise for men, stress/odors for women).
  • Men reported greater disability (46% vs. 29% of women) and attributed headache control externally more often.

Conclusions:

  • Gender differences in chronic headache seen in the general population are not replicated in patients seeking treatment.
  • Men seeking treatment experience significant disability, with similar depression and anxiety as women.
  • Gender-specific approaches are needed for headache trigger research and clinical management.