The burden attributable to primary headache disorders in children and adolescents in Ethiopia: estimates from a national schools-based study.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported high prevalences of headache disorders among children (6-11 years) and adolescents (12-17 years) in Ethiopia. Here we provide data on headache-attributed burden collected contemporaneously from the same study participants. Part of the global schools-based programme within the Global Campaign against Headache, the study is the first to present such data from sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey following the generic protocol for the global study was conducted in six schools (urban and rural), in Addis Ababa city and three regions of Ethiopia. The child or adolescent versions of the Headache-Attributed Restriction, Disability, Social Handicap and Impaired Participation (HARDSHIP) structured questionnaires were self-completed under supervision by pupils in class. Headache diagnostic questions were based on ICHD-3 beta but for the inclusion of undifferentiated headache (UdH). RESULTS: Of 2,349 eligible participants, 2,344 completed the questionnaires (1,011 children [43.1%], 1,333 adolescents [56.9%]; 1,157 males [49.4%], 1,187 females [50.6%]; participating proportion 99.8%). Gender- and age-adjusted 1-year prevalence of headache, reported previously, was 72.8% (migraine: 38.6%; tension-type headache [TTH]: 19.9%; UdH: 12.3%; headache on ≥ 15 days/month (H15+): 1.2%). Mean headache frequency was 2.6 days/4 weeks but, with mean duration of 2.7 h, mean proportion of time with headache was only 1.0% (migraine: 1.4%; TTH: 0.7%; H15+: 9.1%). Mean intensity was 1.8 on a scale of 1-3. Symptomatic medication was consumed on about one third of headache days across headache types. Lost school time reportedly averaged 0.7 days over the preceding 4 weeks, representing 3.5% of school time, but was 2.4 days/4 weeks (12.0%) in the important small minority with H15+. However, actual absences with headache the day before indicated averages overall of 9.7% of school time lost, and 13.3% among those with migraine. Emotional impact and quality-of-life scores reflected other measures of burden, with clear adverse impact gradients (H15 + > migraine > TTH > UdH). CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of headache among children and adolescents in Ethiopia, who represent half its population, is associated with substantial burden. Lost school time is probably the most important consequence. Estimates suggest a quite deleterious effect, likely to be reflected in both individual prospects and the prosperity of society.

Prevalence of primary headaches in multiple sclerosis patients.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common immune-mediated inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. It is characterized by symptoms such as visual disturbances, paresis with spasticity, paresthesia, numbness, and fatigue. However, several studies have shown a high prevalence of headaches in individuals with MS. Migraine and tension-type headaches are the most frequent types of headaches experienced by those with MS. Additionally, the role of MS disease-modifying agents must be considered. These agents have different modes of action and side effect profiles, and their use may sometimes trigger headaches in patients with MS. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the prevalence and clinical characteristics of primary headaches in MS patients. The relationship between headache and clinical features of MS (Course of MS, duration, EDSS, brain imaging and DMD) are also investigated. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Two hundred and eighty-one MS patients diagnosed according to according to the 2017 revisions to the McDonald Criteria were included in the study. Data was collected from the MS unit medical records and from the interview with the patients. Patients with reported headaches are asked to recall their headache characteristics and patterns using an interviewer administered Arabic language-structured validated questionnaire. RESULTS: The median age of patients was 33 years old, with a range of 22-55. Tension-type headache (TTH) was more common in males, patients with more severe disability (EDSS ≥ 3), and those with SPMS and PPMS phenotypes. Additionally, patients on rituximab or cyclophosphamide therapy were more likely to have TTH. On the other hand, females, patients with milder disability (EDSS < 3), and those with RRMS phenotype were more likely to have migraine. This was also true for patients with MRI lesions involving the periaqueductal gray, and those receiving INF or fingolimod (P < 0.05). Periaqueductal gray matter lesions were found in the MRI of 48 patients (40 %) who experienced headaches on more than 10 days per month. Sensorimotor lesions in the brain were found in 55 patients (53.4 %) with severe headaches (p-value < 0.001). Interferons were associated with an increased risk of worsening preexisting headaches and the appearance of de novo headaches related to its intake (odds ratio: 2.84, 3.72; relative risk: 1.63, 2.04; p-value = 0.03, < 0.001, respectively). On the other hand, rituximab was associated with a decreased risk of worsening preexisting headaches and the appearance of de novo headaches related to its intake (odds ratio: 0.04, 0.09; relative risk: 0.11, 0.18; p-value = < 0.001, < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Primary headaches are a common occurrence in patients with MS. Migraines and tension-type headaches (TTH) are among the most prevalent types. It has been observed that interferon can exacerbate preexisting headaches and even cause new ones. Additionally, the location of MS plaques may play a role in the frequency and severity of headaches.

Primary headache disorders among people living with HIV in Lusaka, Zambia.

OBJECTIVE: We completed a cross-sectional survey study to determine headache prevalence and its association with HIV characteristics among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Lusaka, Zambia. BACKGROUND: Headaches are common but their association with HIV status is unknown. METHODS: The HARDSHIP survey, a headache epidemiology questionnaire previously validated in Zambia, was distributed during a 3-month period to 3666 consecutive adult PLHIV attending routine clinic appointments at the Adult Infectious Diseases Centre at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. HIV disease characteristics were abstracted from their charts. RESULTS: 1015 (27.7%) participants responded to the survey. Adjusted for age, 64% reported having a headache within the last year unrelated to another illness. Among participants, 201 met criteria for migraine (20%), 259 for tension-type headache (26%), 18 for probable medication-overuse headache (2%), and 121 for undetermined headache (12%). Prevalence for tension-type headache was significantly higher than that of migraine (P < 0.001). After adjusting for age and sex, higher CD4 counts were associated with migraine. No other associations were observed between overall headache or headache type with HIV disease characteristics including CD4 count, viral load, antiretroviral regimen, and time since HIV diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Headaches are highly prevalent among this cohort of PLHIV in Zambia. Optimizing headache treatment and integrating it into routine HIV care may improve quality of life for a substantial proportion of PLHIV in Zambia.

Association of mental health symptoms with the migraine-tension-type headache spectrum in the Brazilian longitudinal study of adult health.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between mental health symptoms and the migraine-tension-type headache (TTH) spectrum in middle-aged adults from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil study). METHODS: In this cross-sectional analysis (baseline data: 2008-2010), it was evaluated the relationship between each mental health symptom assessed by the Clinical Interview Schedule-Revised (CIS-R) questionnaire and headache subtypes (migraine and TTH) according to international criteria. It was performed binary logistic regression models, with estimated odds ratios (OR) with their respective 95% confidence intervals (CI) adjusted for confounders including migraine attack frequency. RESULTS: Among 13,916 participants, 70.1% reported any major primary headache subtype within the last year. The most common subtype was definite TTH (33.4%), followed by probable migraine (21.0%), definite migraine (8.5%), and probable TTH (7.2%). Our main findings indicated positive associations between anxiety-related symptoms and the migraine-tension type headache (TTH) spectrum with a clear trend toward definite migraine more than tension-type headache. The presence of somatic symptoms presented a high likelihood for the associations with headaches, mainly definite migraine (OR: 7.9, 95% CI: 6.4-9.8), probable migraine (OR: 4.5, 95% CI 3.7-5.4) and probable TTH (OR: 3.0, 95% CI: 2.3-3.8). Other symptoms associated with headache disorders included fatigue, panic, irritability, anxiety symptoms, concentration problems, forgetfulness, depressive symptoms, and worry. The effect of associations remained significant after controlling for headache attack frequency. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence of consistent associations between mental health symptoms and primary headache disorders, with a higher burden of anxiety-based symptoms observed in people with migraine than those with TTH.

Primary headaches prevalence, characteristics, and healthcare utilization in Italian medical students.

BACKGROUND: Among university students, migraine is notably prevalent and is linked to compromised academic performance and daily functioning. Medical students are a particularly vulnerable category due to the demanding nature of their training, as they are often exposed to headache trigger factors. We therefore aimed to determine the prevalence, characteristics, and healthcare-seeking practices of primary headaches among Italian medical students. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study among medical students attending the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Rome who completed a self-administered questionnaire designed following the International Classification of Headache Disorders-3 criteria. The questionnaire assessed sociodemographic and headache features, healthcare utilization, the use of symptomatic and preventive treatment, and headache trigger factors. RESULTS: Five hundred thirty-six students filled out the questionnaire. The lifetime and last-year prevalence of headache in this cohort was 76.7% (n = 411). Among the students surveyed, migraine had a prevalence of 26.9%, probable migraine of 12.9%, and tension-type headache (TTH)/probable TTH of 36.9%. Two hundred and forty-six students (59.8%) reported that their headache worsened after starting university. All students reporting headache had at least one trigger factor. In students fulfilling the criteria for migraine (n = 144), 137 (95.1%) had previously used acute non-prescription treatments, and eight concurrently used a preventive treatment. Thirty-five students fulfilling the criteria for migraine underwent a brain MRI scan (24.3%), 43 performed a neurological evaluation (29.9%), 36 received a diagnosis of migraine (25%), and 20 (13.9%) accessed the emergency room. DISCUSSION: Migraine and TTH are common among medical students in Italy despite low healthcare resource utilization. These results support the need to promote public health policies and strategies in order to reduce the disability and burden associated with primary headaches among medical students.

Dizziness and vertigo in patients with tension-type headache: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: A few studies have demonstrated dizziness and vertigo in patients with tension-type headache (TTH). However, the prevalence and other characteristics of vestibular symptoms in TTH has not been studied in a systemic manner so far. The aim of the study was to see the prevalence of vestibular symptoms in patients with tension-type headache as compared with controls. METHODS: This case-control study included 100 TTH patients and 100 controls who do not have significant history of headaches. RESULTS: Vestibular symptoms (Vertigo, dizziness, vestibulovisual or postural symptom) were experienced by 25% of patients with TTH and 10% in the control group (Odd Ratio = 3.0 [95% CI, 1.4-6.6], P = .006). The vestibular symptoms were statistically more in patients with chronic tension-type headache (CTTH) than episodic TTH (67% vs 9%. 9, P5 = < 0.005). Hospital Anxiety and Depression score (HAD-A and HAD-D) scores in patients with TTH with vestibular symptoms were significantly higher than TTH without vestibular symptoms- HAD-A (5.1 ± 1.7 vs 4.0 ± 1.5, P = 0.002) and HAD-D(5.8 ± 2.1 vs 4.2 ± 1.9, P = < 0.001). Phonophobia was also more frequent in TTH patients with vertigo (42% vs.13%, P5 = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Vestibular symptoms may be more common in patients TTH than control. The prevalence of vestibular symptoms depends on the frequency of TTH.

Pure menstrual tension-type headache: demonstration of its existence.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Menstrual migraine (MM) is widely recognized among the scientific community, with diagnostic criteria included in the appendix of the third edition of the International Headache Classification. However, this classification does not include other primary headaches that may occur during menstruation. Previous retrospective studies suggest the existence of menstrual tension-type headache. Our objective is to prospectively determine the existence of this type of headache and to determine its frequency relative to that of MM. METHODS: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional (case series), prospective, observational study, conducted in a hospital neurology department, using a previously validated ad hoc questionnaire. Participants were recruited by consecutive sampling, applying inclusion and exclusion criteria among women accompanying neurology outpatients, and classified into five groups: pure menstrual tension-type headache, menstrual-related tension-type headache, pure menstrual migraine, menstrual-related migraine and unclassifiable. RESULTS: Ninety-five women (median age of 38.50 years, IQR: 13) were included, with the following group distribution: 13 (13.6%) pure menstrual tension-type headache, 14 (14.7%) menstruation-related tension-type headache, 23 (24.2%) pure menstrual migraine, 44 (46.3%) menstrual-related migraine and 1 unclassifiable. Of these patients, 23% did not treat menstrual headache, but this figure rose to 30.8% in the case of pure menstrual tension-type headache. CONCLUSION: The results confirm the existence of pure menstrual tension-type headache among women who do not seek medical care for this condition. The frequency of this headache is lower than that of MM. This reduced incidence, together with its generally mild nature, may explain the lack of prior recognition.

Headache and psychological variables as predictors of disability in individuals with primary headache disorders.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relative contribution of headache symptoms and psychological factors to headache-related disability. BACKGROUND: Both headache symptoms and comorbid psychological factors (psychiatric symptoms and transdiagnostic constructs) negatively impact functioning among individuals with migraine and tension-type headache, but few studies have explored their relative contribution to headache-related disability. We hypothesized that psychiatric symptoms and transdiagnostic variables would afford incremental contribution to disability beyond headache symptoms, and we investigated the moderating role of headache diagnosis on these relationships. METHODS: This cross-sectional study examined data from a southern U.S. university online sample of 1818 young adults (mean [SD] age 19.0 [5.1] years; 74.6% female) who met the International Classification of Headache Disorders, third edition criteria for primary headache disorders (46.6% episodic migraine, 11.6% chronic migraine, 38.3% episodic tension-type headache, 3.5% chronic tension-type headache) and completed measures assessing psychological factors and headache-related disability. Headache, psychiatric symptoms, and transdiagnostic factors were examined in relation to headache-related disability, after controlling for sex. Moderation analyses examined the conditional effect of diagnosis on disability. RESULTS: As predicted, both psychiatric and transdiagnostic symptoms accounted for unique variance in headache-related disability beyond headache symptoms (R2 changes of 2.7% and 2.3%, respectively). Significant three-way interactions revealed the relationship between psychiatric symptoms and disability (b = -3.16, p = 0.002), and between transdiagnostic variables and disability (b = -2.37, p = 0.034). Tests of simple slopes showed greater psychiatric symptoms and transdiagnostic variables were associated with higher levels of disability. However, the associations of these variables with disability were strongest among individuals with chronic tension-type headache (B = 3.93 for psychiatric symptoms and B = 4.62 for transdiagnostic symptoms, both p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Psychiatric and transdiagnostic factors contribute uniquely to headache-related functional impairment, which may be important for expanding targeted assessment and behavioral interventions.

[Therapeutic approaches to comorbid pathology in episodic migraine and tension-type headache]. / Terapiya komorbidnoi patologii pri epizodicheskoi migreni i golovnoi boli napryazheniya.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the severity of anxiety, depression, insomnia and asthenia in patients with episodic migraine and tension-type headache before and after treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 104 patients aged 18 to 74 years were examined. Patients were divided into two groups: the 1st - 41 patients diagnosed with episodic migraine, the 2nd - 63 patients with episodic tension-type headache. The intensity of headache was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Levin questionnaire, and the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory scale (MFI-20) were used to identify comorbid affective pathology, insomnia, and asthenia, respectively. RESULTS: Headache severity according to VAS in the 1st group was higher (5.8±1.3 points) than in 2nd (3.8±1.2 points). Clinical anxiety was detected in 66.3% of patients without statistically significant differences between groups. The mean HADS anxiety score was 13.9±3.5 in 1st group, 12.7±3.7 - in 2nd. Clinical depression was detected in 45.2% of patients, more often in the 2nd group - 50.8% than in the 1st (36.6%). The mean depression score according to HADS was 9.0±4.4 and 9.7±3.6 in the 1st and 2nd groups respectively. The intensity of headache was statistically significantly higher in patients with clinical anxiety. Both groups were found to have insomnia and asthenia. The majority of patients - 67.3% had myofascial pain syndrome. When re-evaluating the severity of disorders after treatment (using anxiolytics, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, magnesium and neurometabolics), a significant positive trend was noted. Reducing the intensity of headaches to 3.2±0.9 points (according to VAS scale) was in patients with migraine and 1.9±0.8 points in 2nd group. Relief of anxiety and depressive disorders was observed (HADS) in 1st (4.3±3.9) and 2nd (4.5±3.3) groups, the severity of depression (HADS) - 2.1±2.2 in 1st and 2.8±3.2 in 2nd groups, as well as a decrease in asthenia and normalization of sleep. The decrease in the severity of asthenia during treatment was more significant in patients treated with Cytoflavin. CONCLUSION: Identification and treatment of comorbid pathology leads to positive results in the treatment of primary headaches such as episodic migraine and TTH.

Global, regional, and national epidemiology of migraine and tension-type headache in youths and young adults aged 15-39 years from 1990 to 2019: findings from the global burden of disease study 2019.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, headache disorders have garnered significant attention as a pressing global health issue. This concern is especially pronounced in low- to middle-income countries and exhibits a notable increase in prevalence among adolescents and young adults. Such a surge in these disorders has invariably diminished the quality of life for affected individuals. Despite its global impact, comprehensive studies exploring the ramifications of headache disorders in the younger population remain scant. Our study endeavored to quantify the global prevalence of headache disorders in individuals between the ages of 15 and 39, over a three-decade span from 1990 to 2019. METHODS: Our study, conducted from 1990 to 2019, evaluated the impact of headache disorders, specifically migraines and tension-type headaches (TTH), in 204 different countries and territories. This comprehensive assessment included a detailed analysis of incidence rates, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) across various demographics such as age, gender, year, geographical location, and Socio-demographic Index (SDI). RESULTS: In 2019, there were an estimated 581,761,847.2 migraine cases globally (95% UI: 488,309,998.1 to 696,291,713.7), marking a 16% increase from 1990. Concurrently, TTH cases numbered at 964,808,567.1 (95% UI: 809,582,531.8 to 1,155,235,337.2), reflecting a 37% rise since 1990. South Asia reported the highest migraine prevalence with 154,490,169.8 cases (95% UI: 130,296,054.6 to 182,464,065.6). High SDI regions exhibited the most substantial migraine prevalence rates both in 1990 (22,429 per 100,000 population) and 2019 (22,606 per 100,000 population). Among the five SDI classifications, the middle SDI region recorded the highest tally of TTH cases in both 1990 (210,136,691.6 cases) and 2019 (287,577,250 cases). Over the past 30 years, East Asia experienced the most pronounced surge in the number of migraine cases. On the whole, there was a discernible positive correlation between the disease burden of migraine and TTH and the SDI. CONCLUSION: Migraine and TTH represent formidable challenges in global health. The intensity of their impact exhibits marked disparities across nations and is distinctly elevated among women, individuals within the 30-39 age bracket, and populations characterized by a high SDI. The results of our research emphasize the imperative of assimilating migraine and TTH management into contemporary healthcare paradigms. Such strategic integration holds the potential to amplify public cognizance regarding pertinent risk factors and the spectrum of therapeutic interventions at hand.

Status of diagnosis and preventative treatment for primary headache disorders: real-world data of unmet needs in China.

BACKGROUND: Headache disorders are widely prevalent and pose a considerable economic burden on individuals and society. Globally, misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment of primary headache disorders remain significant challenges, impeding the effective management of such conditions. Despite advancements in headache management over the last decade, a need for comprehensive evaluations of the status of primary headache disorders in China regarding diagnosis and preventative treatments persists. METHODS: In the present study, we analyzed the established queries in the Survey of Fibromyalgia Comorbidity with Headache (SEARCH), focusing on previous diagnoses and preventative treatment regimens for primary headache disorders. This cross-sectional study encompassed adults diagnosed with primary headache disorders who sought treatment at 23 hospitals across China between September 2020 to May 2021. RESULTS: The study comprised 2,868 participants who were systematically examined. Migraine and tension-type headaches (TTH) constituted a majority of the primary headache disorders, accounting for 74.1% (2,124/2,868) and 23.3% (668/2,868) of the participants, respectively. Medication overuse headache (MOH) affected 8.1% (231/2,868) of individuals with primary headache disorders. Over half of the individuals with primary headache disorders (56.6%, 1,624/2,868) remained undiagnosed. The previously correct diagnosis rates for migraine, TTH, TACs, and MOH were 27.3% (580/2,124), 8.1% (54/668), 23.2% (13/56), and 3.5% (8/231), respectively. The misdiagnosis of "Nervous headache" was found to be the most prevalent among individuals with migraine (9.9%, 211/2,124), TTH (10.0%, 67/668), trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TACs) (17.9%, 10/56), and other primary headache disorders (10.0%, 2/20) respectively. Only a minor proportion of individuals with migraine (16.5%, 77/468) and TTH (4.7%, 2/43) had received preventive medication before participating in the study. CONCLUSIONS: While there has been progress made in the rate of correct diagnosis of primary headache disorders in China compared to a decade ago, the prevalence of misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment of primary headaches remains a veritable issue. As such, focused efforts are essential to augment the diagnosis and preventive treatment measures related to primary headache disorders in the future.

Neck pain and headache: Pathophysiology, treatments and future directions.

INTRODUCTION: Neck pain is a prevalent neurologic and musculoskeletal complaint in the general population and is often associated with primary headache disorders such as migraine and tension-type headache (TTH). A considerable proportion, ranging from 73% to 90%, of people with migraine or TTH also experience neck pain, and there is a positive correlation between headache frequency and neck pain. Furthermore, neck pain has been identified as a risk factor for migraine and TTH. Although the exact underlying mechanisms linking neck pain to migraine and TTH remain uncertain, pain sensitivity appears to play an important role. People with migraine or TTH exhibit lower pressure pain thresholds and higher total tenderness scores compared with healthy controls. PURPOSE: This position paper aims to provide an overview of the current evidence on the relationship between neck pain and comorbid migraine or TTH. It will encompass the clinical presentation, epidemiology, pathophysiology, and management of neck pain in the context of migraine and TTH. IMPLICATIONS: The relationship between neck pain and comorbid migraine or TTH is incompletely understood. In the absence of robust evidence, the management of neck pain in people with migraine or TTH relies mostly on expert opinion. A multidisciplinary approach is usually preferred, involving pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic strategies. Further research is necessary to fully dissect the linkage between neck pain and comorbid migraine or TTH. This includes the development of validated assessment tools, evaluation of treatment effectiveness, and exploration of genetic, imaging, and biochemical markers that might aid in diagnosis and treatment.

Rising trends in the burden of migraine and tension-type headache among adolescents and young adults globally, 1990 to 2019.

BACKGROUND: Headache disorders are major contributors to disability in adolescents and young adults worldwide. We aimed to analyze global trends in the burden of migraine and tension-type headache in 10 to 24-year-olds from 1990 to 2019. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2019 to examine trends in incidence, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for migraine and tension-type headache in adolescents and young adults by location, age, sex and sociodemographic index (SDI). Joinpoint regression analyzed trends and identified years of significant change. RESULTS: Globally, migraine and tension-type headache incidence, prevalence, and DALYs increased from 1990 to 2019, though with some fluctuations. The highest growth in migraine incidence occurred in males and individuals aged 10-14, while for tension-type headache incidence, it was observed in males and individuals aged 20-24. Prevalence and DALYs were highest for both disorders in females and those aged 20-24 years. Incidence increased fastest in East Asia for migraine and tension-type headache. For migraine, Tropical Latin America had the fastest increase in prevalence and DALYs. East Asia had the fastest increase in prevalence of tension-type headache, while North Africa and the Middle East had the highest growth in DALYs. Some high-income countries such as Singapore, Norway, and Iran (Islamic Republic of) demonstrated fast increases, while a few countries including Qatar, Thailand and Ethiopia decreased. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence, prevalence and disability from migraine and tension-type headache are rising in adolescents and young adults, especially in males, older youth and middle SDI populations. The increasing trends highlight the need for targeted interventions focused on prevention and control in priority populations. Continued monitoring of trends can help identify strategies to promote headache health and reduce the life-course impacts of headache disorders globally.

Debate: differences and similarities between tension-type headache and migraine.

Tension-type headache (TTH) and migraine are two common primary headaches distinguished by clinical characteristics according to the 3rd edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders. Migraine is identified by specific features such as being more prevalent in females, being aggravated by physical activity, certain genetic factors, having photophobia, phonophobia, nausea, vomiting, or aura, and responding to specific drugs. Nonetheless, TTH and migraine share some common characteristics, such as onset occurring in the 20 s, and being triggered by psychological factors like stress, moderate pain severity, and mild nausea in chronic TTH. Both conditions involve the trigeminovascular system in their pathophysiology. However, distinguishing between TTH and migraine in clinical practice, research, and epidemiological studies can be challenging, as there is a lack of specific diagnostic tests and biomarkers. Moreover, both conditions may coexist, further complicating the diagnostic process. This review aims to explore the similarities and differences in the pathophysiology, epidemiology, burden and disability, comorbidities, and responses to pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments of TTH and migraine. The review also discusses future research directions to address the diagnostic challenges and improve the understanding and management of these conditions.

The prevalence and burden of medication overuse headache in Greece.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence and burden of medication overuse headache in a representative sample of the Greek population, aged 18-70 years old. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional descriptive observational study performed by quantitative computer-assisted telephone interviews, using a standardized 37-item questionnaire for headaches. The prevalence of medication overuse headache was estimated in the general population and compared within the groups formed by factors such as age, gender, diagnosis of headache type, prophylactic treatment used, geographical regions, social class, workdays lost and loss of productivity. RESULTS: 1197 (12.0%) participants reported headaches affecting performance out of 10,008 interviewees. The estimated prevalence of medication overuse headache in the general population was 0.7% (95% CI: 0.5-0.9). The female to male ratio was 3.6:1. The proportion of medication overuse headache was largest in the 35-54 age group, followed by the over 55 group. The Aegean islands and Crete were the regions with the highest proportion of medication overuse headache. Among participants with headaches, the proportion of medication overuse headache was 5.8% (95% CI: 4.4%-7.1%); 6.3% (95% CI: 4.7%-7.9%) among females and 4.4% (95% CI: 2.2%-6.6%) among males. In the same headache group, the proportion of medication overuse headache by prophylactic treatment for headache was 19.0% (95% CI: 9.5%-29.1%) for recipients and 5.0% (95% CI: 3.8-6.3) for non-recipients. The mean absenteeism in people with medication overuse headache was 1.0 days/month (95% CI: 0.4-1.6) and the mean presenteeism 6.3 days/month (95% CI: 3.9-8.7). The social class stratification showed a significant effect between the medication overuse headache in the sample of the general population and the C2 class, corresponding to skilled manual labour (OR: 0.7, CI: 0.5-0.9). In people with chronic migraine, and chronic tension type headache, as differentiated by the 37-item questionnaire, the proportion of medication overuse headache in the headache group estimated to be 50.5% (95% CI: 40.8%-60.1%) and 45.9%, (95% CI: 29.9%-62.0%) respectively. The group of people with acute headache medication overuse fulfilling the rest of the diagnostic criteria for medication overuse headache, except from the number of headache days per month (≥15 days/month), had a prevalence of 2.0% (95% CI: 1.75-2.30) and a proportion of 17.0% (95% CI: 14.8%-19.1%) among people with headache. In the episodic types of headache, the proportion of acute headache medication overuse was higher in the subgroup of people with high frequency episodic migraine, 24.9% (95% CI: 18.8%-31.0%), while it was 10.8% (95% CI: 8.2%-13.5%), for the low frequency episodic migraine and 8.5% (95% CI: 5.5%-10.4%), for the episodic tension type headache. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of medication overuse headache in the general population in Greece and its proportion among the people with headache belongs to the lower part of the range of the reported literature, while the 3.6:1 female to male ratio is in agreement with it. In the same line, the impact of absenteeism and presenteeism on the workplace renders the condition alarming socio-economic health problem demanding immediate health policy planning.

Headache-a challenge across medical students' life: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Headache is a disabling disease that affects psychosocial factors. Medical students are recognized to be more susceptible to psychological stress than other. Quantitative summaries of prevalence studies on this subject are limited. The aim of this study was to quantify and comprehend the variance in prevalence at the global and regional levels. METHODS: We used a comprehensive search approach to find studies on headaches prevalence in the medical literature published between November 1990 and May 5, 2022. Database searched were PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. Studies that reported headaches (unspecified, migraine, or tension-type headache (TTH)) in medical students were included. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression were applied to investigate heterogeneity, with the risk of bias tool employed to assess study quality. PROSPERO number CRD42022321556 was assigned to the study protocol. RESULTS: Out of 1561 studies, 79 were included. The pooled prevalence estimates of unspecified headache, migraine, and TTH were 70.44% (95% CI: 63.32-77.57), 18.9% (95% CI: 15.7-22.0), and 39.53% (95% CI: 31.17-47.90), respectively. TTH and migraine were more prevalent in Eastern Mediterranean and American region. TTH and migraine were less prevalent in higher income countries. CONCLUSION: Although the prevalence of headaches among medical students varies in different countries, it is higher than the general population of the same age. Higher stressors and overwork in these students may contribute to this condition. The well-being of medical students should be a priority for the relevant authorities.

Disease burden of migraine and tension-type headache in non-high-income East and Southeast Asia from 1990 to 2019.

BACKGROUND: The world faces severe challenges from migraine and tension-type headache (TTH), which cause grave disability to patients and place a heavy burden on their caregivers. However, headaches in specific individual regions have rarely been investigated. Therefore, we aimed to fully analyse and describe the current status and changing trends in migraine and TTH in non-high-income East and Southeast Asia to provide more detailed real-world information for policy-making. METHODS: The migraine and TTH data used for analysis were all extracted from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database. We adopted three major indicators of disease burden, including prevalence, incidence, and years lived with disability (YLD), and two major metrics, including the absolute number and the age-standardized rate, in our present study for further evaluation by age and sex. The results are presented in the form of mean values and 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). In addition, the differences between non-high-income East and Southeast Asia and other regions, as well as the potential associations between headache burden and socioeconomic background, were explored. RESULTS: In 2019, approximately 195,702,169 migraine patients and 291,924,564 TTH patients lived in non-high-income East Asia, and 113,401,792 migraine patients and 179,938,449 TTH patients lived in non-high-income Southeast Asia. In terms of specific countries and regions, the highest age-standardized YLD rate (ASYR) of migraine was in Thailand [645 (95% UI: 64 to 1,554)]. The highest ASYR of TTH was in Indonesia [54 (95% UI: 15 to 197)]. Furthermore, people between the ages of 40 and 44, especially females, were identified as the main population that suffered from migraine and TTH. Unfortunately, we did not observe a significant association between headache burden and socioeconomic background. CONCLUSIONS: To date, the threats from migraine and TTH in non-high-income East and Southeast Asia are still serious and ongoing, leading to prominently negative impacts on the daily life and work of local residents. Therefore, full attention and sound guidelines are urgently needed to obtain greater advantages in fighting against the burden of headache disorders in the future.

How Confinement and Back to Normal Affected the Well-Being and Thus Sleep, Headaches and Temporomandibular Disorders.

The COVID-19 pandemic is having negative consequences not only for people's general health but also for the masticatory system. This article aimed to assess confinement and its new normal impact on well-being, sleep, headaches, and temporomandibular disorders (TMD). An anonymous survey was distributed to a Spanish university community. Participants completed a well-being index (WHO-5), a questionnaire related to sleep quality (the BEARS test), a headache diagnostic test (the tension type headache (TTH) and migraine diagnosis test), and the DC-TMD questionnaire. Questions were addressed in three scenarios: before confinement, during confinement, and the new normal. A total of 436 responses were collected (70% women, 30% men). A reduction in well-being and sleep quality was recorded. Respondents reported more TTH and migraines during and after confinement. Overall, confinement and return to normal did not increase TMD symptoms, and only minor effects were observed, such as more intense joint pain and a higher incidence of muscle pain in women during confinement. Reduced well-being is correlated with sleep quality loss, headaches, and TMD symptoms. This study provides evidence that pandemics and confinement might have had a negative impact on population health. Well-being was strongly affected, as were sleep quality, depression risk, TTH, and migraine frequency. In contrast, the temporomandibular joint and muscles showed more resilience and were only slightly affected.

Primary headache epidemiology in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Headache is the most prevalent neurological manifestation in adults and one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. In children and adolescents, headaches are arguably responsible for a remarkable impact on physical and psychological issues, yet high-quality evidence is scarce. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We searched cross-sectional and cohort studies in Embase, Medline, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases from January 1988 to June 2022 to identify the prevalence of headaches in 8-18 years old individuals. The risk of bias was examined with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scale. A random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of pediatric headache. Subgroup analyses based on headache subtypes were also conducted. RESULTS: Out of 5,486 papers retrieved electronically, we identified 48 studies that fulfilled our inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of primary headaches was 11% for migraine overall [95%CI: 9-14%], 8% for migraine without aura (MwoA) [95%CI: 5-12%], 3% for migraine with aura (MwA) [95%CI:2-4%] and 17% for tension-type headache (TTH) [95% CI: 12-23%]. The pooled prevalence of overall primary headache in children and adolescents was 62% [95% CI: 53-70%], with prevalence in females and males of 38% [95% CI: 16-66%] and 27% [95% CI: 11-53%] respectively. After the removal of studies ranked as low-quality according to the JBI scale, prevalence rates were not substantially different. Epidemiological data on less common primary headaches, such as trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias, were lacking. CONCLUSION: We found an overall remarkably high prevalence of primary headaches in children and adolescents, even if flawed by a high degree of heterogeneity. Further up-to-date studies are warranted to complete the picture of pediatric headache-related burden to enhance specific public interventions.

Primary headache disorders in Latin America and the Caribbean: A meta-analysis of population-based studies.

BACKGROUND: In this manuscript, we aim to systematically estimate the pooled prevalence and incidence of primary headaches and its subtypes (migraine, tension-type headache, and chronic headaches) in Latin America and the Caribbean, describing its epidemiological profile and associated factors. METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and LILACS (From conception to March 2021), for populational studies reporting the epidemiology of primary headaches and their associated factors in Latin America and the Caribbean. The data extraction was conducted independently. We performed random-effect model meta-analysis of prevalence (overall primary headaches and by subtypes) and associated factors, assessed potential sources of heterogeneity, the risk of bias, publication bias, and the evidence certainty (GRADE methodology). RESULTS: We included 32 populational studies (38 subpopulations, n = 63,813). The prevalence of primary headaches was 41.4% (95% CI 31.1-52.2%; n = 54,357), 15% for migraine (95% CI 12.0-18.3; n = 53,658 individuals), 20.6% for tension-type headache (95% CI 12.4-30.2; n = 25,840), and 6% for chronic headaches (95% CI 3.3-9.6; n = 21,720), with high between-study heterogeneity. No incidence data was found. Female sex, white ethnicity, high BMI, comorbid mental health disorders, and low-back pain were associated with higher prevalence of primary headaches. The prevalence was less in rural areas. CONCLUSION: In Latin America and the Caribbean, primary headaches are highly prevalent affecting young females disproportionally. The prevalence of chronic headaches is higher than in other systematic global and regional estimations. The presence of comorbidities as modifiable risk factors should encourage their integration as targets for community-based preventive and therapeutic interventions. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42018105116.