The prevalence and clinical characteristics of primary headache in irritable bowel syndrome: a subgroup of the functional somatic syndromes.
BACKGROUND
The irritable bowel syndrome and primary headache are two chronic diseases characterized by symptoms of recurring pain and affect approximately 10%-20% of the general population.


OBJECTIVE
To study the prevalence of primary headache in volunteers with irritable bowel syndrome in a Brazilian urban community.


METHODS
It was evaluated the prevalence of primary headache associated with irritable bowel syndrome in adult volunteers 330 no patients.The protocol included the Rome III criteria, international classification of Headaches, later divided into four groups: I- Irritable bowel syndrome (n = 52), II- Primary headache (n = 45), III-Irritable bowel syndrome (n = 26) and headache, and IV- Controls (207).


RESULTS
We not found significant difference in the average age of the four groups and the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome, primary headache and their association was more frequent in females. The frequent use of analgesics was greater in groups II and III.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that irritable bowel syndrome and primary headache are also common in third world countries. The frequency in use of analgesics in association between the two entities was relevant. The identification of irritable bowel syndrome patients with different clinical sub-types could improve the therapeutics options and the prevention strategies.
Departamento de Medicina Interna, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), NiteróiRJ, Brasil.
Rosa L S
RL
Soares
Departamento de Medicina Interna, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), NiteróiRJ, Brasil.
Pedro Ferreira
PF
Moreira-Filho
Hospital Antonio Pedro, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), NiteróiRJ, Brasil.
Carolina Possidente
CP
Maneschy
Hospital Antonio Pedro, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), NiteróiRJ, Brasil.
Julia Fumian
JF
Breijão
Hospital Antonio Pedro, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), NiteróiRJ, Brasil.
Nathan Mielke
NM
Schmidte
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population