Primary headaches in obese patients.
OBJECTIVE
Obesity is a major public health problem worldwide. Little is known about the prevalence and impact of headache disorders in obese patients. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of primary headaches in obese patients and controls.


METHODS
Seventy-four consecutive obese patients from the obesity surgery service were studied, and compared to controls with body mass index less than 25.


RESULTS
Fifty-six patients (75%) had a headache diagnosis, 49 migraine (66%), 7 tension-type headache (9%), 36 (48%) had incapacitating headaches.


CONCLUSIONS
Primary headaches are more common and incapacitating in obese patients than controls, migraine is the most important diagnosis in this population. Headaches should be properly diagnosed and treated in obese patients.
Peres
Mario Fernando Prieto
MF
Instituto Israelita de Ensino e Pesquisa Albert Einstein, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. marioperes@yahoo.com
Lerário
Daniel Diniz Gonçalves
DD
Garrido
Arthur Belarmino
AB
Zukerman
Eliova
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D051270:Headache Disorders, Primary / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index