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Headache complaints associated with psychiatric comorbidity in a population-based sample
I M Benseñor1, L F Tófoli, L Andrade
1Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil. isabensenor@hcnet.usp.br
Summary
Headache is common in Brazil, with 37.4% experiencing it. Chronic psychiatric disorders like depression and anxiety significantly increase headache risk, highlighting a strong association in this population.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Psychiatry
- Neurology
Background:
- Headache is a prevalent condition with significant public health implications.
- Understanding the relationship between headache and psychiatric comorbidities is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of headaches in São Paulo, Brazil.
- To investigate the association between headache and sociodemographic factors.
- To explore the link between headache and psychiatric comorbidities.
Main Methods:
- A three-step cluster sampling method was employed to recruit 1,464 adult participants.
- The Brazilian version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 1.1) was used for data collection.
- Participants were interviewed by trained lay interviewers to assess headache and psychiatric conditions.
Main Results:
- The lifetime prevalence of significant headache problems was 37.4%.
- Headaches attributed to mental health issues were strongly associated with depressive episodes (OR, 2.1), dysthymia (OR, 3.4), and generalized anxiety disorder (OR, 4.3).
- Dysthymia also showed an increased risk for headaches attributed to physical causes or substance use.
Conclusions:
- A high prevalence of headache exists in the studied Brazilian population.
- Chronic psychiatric disorders are significantly associated with increased odds of experiencing headaches.
- These findings underscore the importance of considering mental health in headache assessment and treatment.