[Prevalence of headache syndromes in Germany.]

This study presents the first-ever account of the prevalence of headache syndromes in Germany and the frequency with which they occur in a large representative sample according to the International Headache Society criteria, as set out in the German translation approved by the Classification Committee. 5000 persons representative of the total population were selected from a panel of 30000 households and requested to answer a questionnaire about headache occurrence during their life to date (lifetime prevalence). Of the 5000 persons who were sent questionnaires, 81.2% (n=4061) completed and returned them: 71.4% (n=2902) said they suffered from headache at least occasionally. Of the base population (all respondents: 100% orn=4061), 27.5% (n=1116) fulfilled the criteria for the IHS classification ofmigraine, 38.3% (n=1557) displayed the criteria oftension headache and 5.6% (n=229) said they suffered from headaches, but did not fulfil the criteria for either migraine or tension headache and were therefore classified in the category other headache. Significant correlations were found between the prevalence of the different headache syndromes and sociodemographic variables such as sex, age and place of residence. Headache prevalence in the various "länder" (states or regions) of Germany did not exhibit any significant differences. Applying the results to the total population reveals that some 54 million people in Germany occasionally or persistently suffer from headaches. The importance of the neurological disorders migraine and tension headache is currently seriously underestimated. They are one of the major health problems of our time. There is an urgent need for much greater attention to them by the health system.