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[Epidemiology of headache]
Hirohisa Okuma1, Yasuhisa Kitagawa
1Department of Neurology, Tokai University Tokyo Hospital.
Nihon Rinsho. Japanese Journal of Clinical Medicine
|October 13, 2005
Summary
Chronic headache, including migraine and tension-type headache, affects nearly everyone and poses a significant public health challenge. Understanding its epidemiology is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Context:
- Headache disorders represent a substantial global health burden, impacting a vast majority of the population.
- Chronic headache conditions, such as migraine and tension-type headache, are prevalent and impose significant personal and economic costs.
- Despite the high prevalence and impact, many individuals experiencing headaches do not seek professional medical attention.
Purpose:
- To review the epidemiology of chronic headache disorders.
- To examine the incidence, precipitating factors, regional prevalence, and age-specific trends for various chronic headache types.
- To highlight the importance of accurate diagnosis and treatment for these widespread conditions.
Summary:
- Lifetime prevalence of headache is exceptionally high, affecting 93% of men and 99% of women.
- Specific conditions like migraine and tension-type headache impact millions, with Japan reporting 8.4 million migraine sufferers and 22 million with tension-type headache.
- The article synthesizes current knowledge on the incidence and demographic factors associated with chronic headache.
Impact:
- Informing public health strategies to address the significant burden of headache disorders.
- Guiding clinicians in recognizing and managing diverse chronic headache presentations.
- Emphasizing the need for increased awareness and accessibility of medical care for headache patients.