title: Recurrent headache in Indian adolescents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the epidemiology and characteristics of primary recurrent headaches in Indian adolescents.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross sectional study was conducted in three urban public schools. Adolescents of 9(th) to 12(th) grades were included and they were given a questionnaire in their classrooms in the presence of at least one of the authors, who assisted them in filling it. They were asked to provide responses based on most severe recurrent headache they had experienced rather than the more frequent one. Diagnosis was based upon the information contained in questionnaire, however, where it was inadequate, those subjects were approached telephonically. Statistical analysis was done with the help of SPSS v. 11.0. Descriptive analysis, Chi-Square test, Fisher's Exact test, and independent sample't' test were run.
  
  
  RESULTS
  2235 adolescents were included in the present study (boys: girls 1.6:1). 57.5% adolescents reported recurrent headaches in past one year. Migraine was the most prevalent (17.2%) headache followed by unspecified (14.9%) and tension type headache (11%). Family history of headache was more common in adolescents with headache (p < 0.001) compared to those without headache. Average age of headache onset was 11.33 yr (10.72 yr in girls vs. 11.75 years in boys; p < 0.001). 37.1% adolescents complained of progression of headache since its onset. A significantly higher proportion of girls suffered headache (p=0.018), particularly migraine, than boys. However, other characteristics of headache were not dependent upon gender. Headache was more prevalent in higher grades.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Primary Recurrent headaches are prevalent in Indian adolescents and migraine is comparatively the most prevalent type of headache. Female gender and increasing age is associated with higher chances to have headache, particularly migraine. It progresses in approximately one third of sufferers and aura increases the chances of worsening of headache.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital, Delhi, India. guptaravi_2003@yahoo.co.in
authors.forename: Ravi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Manjeet Singh
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Bhatia
authors.forename: Devendra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dahiya
authors.forename: Sameer
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Rahul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sapra
authors.forename: Kapil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Semalti
authors.forename: Raman Preet Singh
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Dua
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011336:Probability; D012008:Recurrence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D018781:Tension-Type Headache / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology