Factors associated with disability and impact of tension-type headache: findings of the Korean headache survey

Durable effects of acupuncture for tension-type headache: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Acupuncture may be effective in treating tension-type headache (TTH). The durability of its effects after treatment completion remains inconclusive.

Methods

We searched multiple databases and references from previous reviews for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which investigated the effectiveness of acupuncture for TTH. We assessed the methodological quality of RCTs using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 (RoB 2) tool. Primary outcome was response rate, defined as the proportion of participants who reported at least a 50% reduction in monthly headache days from baseline after completion of treatment. Secondary outcomes included headache days, headache intensity, and analgesic use. Safety outcomes were also evaluated.

Results

A total of seven RCTs involving 3,221 participants with frequent episodic and chronic TTH were included. Individuals receiving acupuncture reported a significantly higher response rate versus sham acupuncture (SA) immediately and at 1-6 months after completion of treatment (P<0.05). Compared with SA, post-treatment results of headache days and headache intensity appeared consistent on the whole, showing associations favoring acupuncture. However, no significant reduction in analgesic use was found post-treatment. Acupuncture showed no superiority over physical training or relaxation training in headache days and headache intensity. Moreover, no serious adverse events associated with acupuncture were reported.

Conclusion

Limited evidence suggested that acupuncture might provide durable post-treatment effects in the management of frequent episodic and chronic TTH for up to 6 months compared with SA,with no severe treatment-related adverse events reported.

Disability and Economic Loss Caused by Headache among Information Technology Workers in Korea

Background and Purpose

Headache disorders are a leading cause of disability globally. However, there is inadequate information available about these disorders and the related economic loss in the workplace in Asian countries. Information technology (IT) jobs are intellectually and cognitively challenging, and hence IT workers are a suitable population for assessing headache disorders and related economic loss.

Methods

We sent invitation emails to all employees of selected IT companies. A comprehensive Web-based questionnaire regarding headache characteristics, disability, quality of life, and economic loss was completed by 522 participants from 8 companies.

Results

The participants included 450 (86.2%) who had experienced headache more than once during the previous year. The frequencies of migraine, probable migraine (PM), and tension-type headache (TTH) were 18.2%, 21.1%, and 37.0%, respectively. The Migraine Disability Assessment score was higher for participants with migraine [median and interquartile range, 3.0 (0.0–6.0)] than for those with PM [0.0 (0.0–2.0), p<0.001] and TTH [0.0 (0.0–1.0), p<0.001]. The estimated annual economic losses caused by migraine per person associated with absenteeism and presenteeism were USD 197.5±686.1 and USD 837.7±22.04 (mean±standard deviation), respectively. The total annual economic loss per person caused by migraine (USD 1,023.3±1,972.7) was higher than those caused by PM (USD 424.8±1,209.1, p<0.001) and TTH (USD 197.6±636.4, p<0.001).

Conclusions

Migraine, PM, and TTH were found to be prevalent among IT workers in Korea. Disability and economic loss were significantly greater in participants with migraine than in those with PM or TTH.

Can Headache Profile Predict Future Disability: A Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine if headache profile can predict future disability in patients with tension-type headache (TTH).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighty-three individuals with TTH were recruited. To be included in the study participants needed to fulfill the International Headache Society classification's criteria for episodic or chronic TTH form and to be at least 18 years old. Baseline clinical outcomes (headache and neck-related disability, kinesiophobia, self-efficacy, and anxiety) and physical outcomes (neck extensors muscles maximum voluntary contraction) were collected for all participants. A prospective data collection of headache characteristics (intensity and frequency) was conducted using daily SMS or e-mail over a 1-month period. Headache-related disability was assessed at the 3-month follow-up and was used as the disability criterion for TTH.

RESULTS

Correlations showed that the number of years with headache (r=0.53, P<0.001), self-reported neck pain intensity (r=0.29, P=0.025), headache frequency (r=0.60, P<0.001) and intensity (r=0.54, P<0.001), anxiety (r=0.28; P=0.031), as well as neck-related disability (r=0.64, P<0.001) were correlated to headache-related disability assessed at 3 months. Multiple regression showed that these determinants can be used to predict headache disability (R =0.583). Headache frequency (β=0.284) was the best individual predictor.

DISCUSSION

Results showed that TTH frequency and intensity and the presence of concomitant infrequent migraine are predictors of future disability over a 3-month period. Further studies are needed to evaluate the contribution of other potential physical outcomes on headache-related disability.

Factors Associated with Incidental Neuroimaging Abnormalities in New Primary Headache Patients

Background and Purpose

Deciding whether or not to perform neuroimaging in primary headache is a dilemma for headache physicians. The aim of this study was to identify clinical predictors of incidental neuroimaging abnormalities in new patients with primary headache disorders.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was based on a prospective multicenter headache registry, and it classified 1,627 consecutive first-visit headache patients according to the third edition (beta version) of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3β). Primary headache patients who underwent neuroimaging were finally enrolled in the analysis. Serious intracranial pathology was defined as serious neuroimaging abnormalities with a high degree of medical urgency. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with incidental neuroimaging abnormalities.

Results

Neuroimaging abnormalities were present in 170 (18.3%) of 927 eligible patients. In multivariable analysis, age ≥40 years [multivariable-adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=3.37, 95% CI=2.07–6.83], male sex (aOR=1.61, 95% CI=1.12–2.32), and age ≥50 years at headache onset (aOR=1.86, 95% CI=1.24–2.78) were associated with neuroimaging abnormalities. In univariable analyses, age ≥40 years was the only independent variable associated with serious neuroimaging abnormalities (OR=3.37, 95% CI=1.17–9.66), which were found in 34 patients (3.6%). These associations did not change after further adjustment for neuroimaging modality.

Conclusions

Incidental neuroimaging abnormalities were common and varied in a primary headache diagnosis. A small proportion of the patients incidentally had serious neuroimaging abnormalities, and they were predicted by age ≥40 years. These findings can be used to guide the performing of neuroimaging in primary headache disorders.

Relationship of active trigger points with related disability and anxiety in people with tension-type headache

To investigate the differences in the presence of trigger points (TrPs) and their association with headache-related disability and mood disorders in people with frequent episodic tension-type headache (TTH) (FETTH) and chronic TTH (CTTH). One hundred twenty-two individuals with TTH participated. Clinical features of headache (i.e., intensity, duration, and frequency) were recorded on a headache diary. Headache-related disability was assessed with the Headache Disability Inventory, trait and state anxiety levels with State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and depression with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. TrPs were bilaterally explored in the temporalis, masseter, suboccipital, upper trapezius, splenius capitis, and sternocleidomastoid muscles. Sixty-two (51%) patients were classified as FETTH, whereas 60 (49%) were classified as CTTH. Individuals with CTTH showed higher burden of headache and depression than FETTH (P < 0.001). Subjects with FETTH showed similar number of TrPs (total number: 5.9 ± 3.1, active TrPs: 4.7 ± 2.5, and latent TrPs: 1.2 ± 1.9) than those with CTTH (total number: 5.7 ± 3.2, active TrPs: 4.2 ± 3.0, and latent TrPs: 1.5 ± 1.8). The number of active TrPs was significantly associated with the burden of headache (r = 0.189; P = 0.037) and trait anxiety (r = 0.273; P = 0.005): the higher the number of active TrPs, the greater the physical burden of headache or the more the trait anxiety level. No association with the depression was observed. The presence of active TrPs in head and neck/shoulder muscles was similar between individuals with FETTH and CTTH and associated with the physical burden of headache and trait anxiety levels independently of the subgroup of TTH.