[Episodic tension-type headache: clinical evaluation of 50 patients]

A case series study of 50 consecutive patients with episodic tension type headache (ETTH) was conducted. Clinical aspects, family history and impact on work activities were studied. The casuistry was made up of 40 women and 10 men. The average age was 30 (+/-12) years. Constrictive pain was present in 40 patients (80%). Sickness was the most commonly reported related phenomenon (20%). As expected, bilateral pain predominated; however, unilateral location was also present (10%). Although classically described as a mild pain, we observed that ETTH can come in intense crisis (16%). Family history of tension type headache was positive in 12 patients. The impact on work activities was substantial (14%). Our findings regarding to clinical aspects are in agreement with the literature. It is important to mention that the impact of ETTH on the individual and society should be reconsidered, and is more substantial than has been reported to date.