Primary headaches in childhood--a population-based study.
The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of primary headaches in pre-adolescent children, as well as headache frequency and days of treatment in this population. Sample consisted of 1994 children (aged 5-12 years). Parents were interviewed by a paediatric headache specialist using a questionnaire that allowed the classification of headaches using the criteria of the Second Edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders. The most severe headache type was classified (mutually-exclusive diagnoses). Prevalence and prevalence ratios were calculated overall, as well as by age, gender and race. The overall prevalence of migraine was 3.76%, non-significantly higher in boys (3.9%) than in girls (3.6%). Prevalence of probable migraine was significantly higher than the prevalence of migraine for all ages (overall prevalence of 17.1%). Chronic migraine (CM) happened in 0.8% (girls, 1.15%; boys, 0.5%). Infrequent episodic tension-type headache (ETTH) happened in 2.3% of the sample while prevalence of frequent ETTH was 1.6%. Probable TTH happened in 13.5%. Most children with migraine had consulted a medical doctor because of their headaches, and the proportion was higher among children with CM (93.7%). Prevalence of primary headaches is high in young children. Probable diagnoses are more common than full diagnoses. Consultation rates are elevated.
Arruda
Marco A
MA
Glia Institute, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil. arruda@institutoglia.com.br
Guidetti
Vincenzo
V
Galli
Federica
F
Albuquerque
Regina C A P
RC
Bigal
Marcelo E
ME
D017677:Age Distribution; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017678:Sex Distribution; D018781:Tension-Type Headache / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*