Mixed migraine and tension-type: a common cause of recurrent headache in children.
OBJECTIVE
Determine relative frequency of recurrent headache (HA) types in children and adolescents referred to a pediatric neurologist.


METHODS



METHODS
Prospective, sequential, and observational.


METHODS
Private practice Pediatric Neurology Clinic in a Canadian city (Winnipeg). Patients and data collection: Information on those referred with HA between September 1998 and December 2001 was entered on data sheets. Patients were followed up for one month to four years.


RESULTS
Three hundred and twenty (69%) of 463 referred with HA had recurrent HA. There were 172 males (54%) and 148 (46%) females. Their ages ranged from two years to 19 years (median: 11 years). They had had their HA disorder for one month to 14 years (median: two years) prior to assessment. Migraine was the main HA type in 124 (38%), tension-type headache (TTH) in 57 (18%) and mixed migraine and TTH in 101 (32%). Thus, 101 (45%) of 225 with migraine as one HA type also had TTH.


CONCLUSIONS
Tension-type headache and migraine frequently co-exist and may represent a distinct headache type, at least in children; the association will likely influence response of affected children and adolescents to specific migraine treatments in clinical trials or practice.
Seshia
Shashi S
SS
Manitoba Clinic, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D017678:Sex Distribution; D018781:Tension-Type Headache / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed