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Epidemiology of headache.
Gian Camillo Manzoni1, Lars Jacob Stovner
1Headache Centre, Department of Neuroscience, University of Parma, Parma, Italy. giancamillo.manzoni@unipr.it
Handbook of Clinical Neurology
|September 7, 2010
Summary
Headache disorders are common, affecting over half the population. Migraine is more prevalent in women, while cluster headache affects more men, with chronic daily headache impacting 4% of adults.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Neurology
- Public Health
Background:
- Headache disorders represent a significant global health burden.
- Prevalence rates vary widely across different headache types and geographical regions.
- Understanding epidemiological patterns is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the epidemiological landscape of common headache disorders.
- To present prevalence data for migraine, tension-type headache, and cluster headache.
- To highlight variations in prevalence based on gender, age, and methodology.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of epidemiological studies on headache prevalence.
- Analysis of data from general population surveys.
- Comparison of prevalence rates across different headache subtypes and demographics.
Main Results:
- 1-year headache prevalence is 46%, lifetime prevalence is 64%.
- Migraine prevalence: 5-9% in men, 12-25% in women (Western countries).
- Tension-type headache prevalence varies significantly by study methodology; cluster headache affects 1-3 per 1000, with a 3:1 male to female ratio. Chronic daily headache affects 4% of adults.
Conclusions:
- Headache disorders are highly prevalent in the general population.
- Significant differences exist in prevalence based on headache type, gender, and geographic location.
- Methodological factors, such as personal interviews, can influence reported prevalence rates for tension-type headache.
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