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Headache and family history
H B Messinger1, E L Spierings, A J Vincent
1Headache Research Foundation, Boston, Massachusetts.
Cephalalgia : an International Journal of Headache
|February 1, 1991
Summary
Parental history of headaches is strongly linked to an individual's headache frequency. This familial connection suggests a genetic or environmental influence on headache development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Headache disorders represent a significant global health burden.
- Understanding the etiology of headaches, including potential familial predispositions, is crucial for effective management and prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the occurrence of headaches in family members (parents, siblings, children) and the frequency of headaches in individuals.
- To determine if parental headache history is a significant predictor of an individual's headache frequency.
Main Methods:
- Two cross-sectional headache questionnaire surveys were conducted, collecting data from 633 participants.
- Data included self-reported headache frequency and the presence of headaches in parents, siblings, and children.
- Statistical analyses, including regression and cross-tabulations, were used to assess the relationship between familial headache occurrence and individual headache frequency.
Main Results:
- A highly significant positive association was found between headache frequency and the number of parents experiencing headaches.
- Headache occurrence in siblings and children, as well as participant sex, were not significant predictors of headache frequency.
- A distinct 'break-point' was observed in cross-tabulations, differentiating between individuals with no headache history and those with headache frequency.
Conclusions:
- The findings strongly support a familial component in headache development, particularly linked to parental headache history.
- The observed association persists even after excluding individuals with migraine, suggesting a broader familial influence beyond specific headache types.
- Parental headache history is a significant factor associated with an individual's headache frequency, highlighting potential genetic or shared environmental influences.