title: Effects of the kampo formula tokishakuyakusan on headaches and concomitant depression in middle-aged women.
abstract: Objectives. To identify the correlates of headaches in middle-aged women and investigate the effects of Tokishakuyakusan (TJ-23), a formula of traditional Japanese herbal therapy Kampo, on headache and concomitant depression. Methods. We examined cross-sectionally the baseline records of 345 women aged 40-59 years who visited our menopause clinic. Among them, 37 women with headaches were treated with either hormone therapy (HT) or TJ-23; the data of these women were retrospectively analyzed to compare the effects of the treatment. Results. The women were classified into 4 groups on the basis of their headache frequency, and no significant intergroup differences were noted in the physical or lifestyle factors, except age. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the significant contributors to the women's headaches were their age (adjusted OR 0.92 (95% CI 0.88-0.97)) and their depressive symptoms (adjusted OR 1.73 (95% CI 1.39-2.16)). Compared to women treated with HT, women treated with TJ-23 reported relief from headaches (65% versus 29%) and concomitant depression (60% versus 24%) more frequently. Improvement in the scores of headaches and depression correlated significantly with TJ-23 treatment. Conclusions. Headache in middle-aged women is significantly associated with depression; TJ-23 could be effective for treating both of these symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Women's Health, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Yushima 1-5-45, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan.
authors.forename: Masakazu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Terauchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Yushima 1-5-45, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan.
authors.forename: Shiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hiramitsu
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Yushima 1-5-45, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan.
authors.forename: Mihoko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akiyoshi
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Yushima 1-5-45, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Owa
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Yushima 1-5-45, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan.
authors.forename: Kiyoko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Yushima 1-5-45, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan.
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Obayashi
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychosomatics, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Yushima 1-5-45, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan.
authors.forename: Eisuke
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Matsushima
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Yushima 1-5-45, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kubota