Relative frequency of headache types: a longitudinal study in the tertiary care

Treatment experiences and clinical characteristics in migraine and tension-type headache patients before the first visit to a tertiary headache center

OBJECTIVES

To investigate previous treatment and clinical characteristics in migraine and tension-type headache patients at their first visit to a tertiary headache center.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study using data obtained from electronic questionnaires and medical charts. Migraine and tension-type headache patients were investigated at their first visit to the Danish Headache Center.

RESULTS

Out of 382 patients the main diagnoses of primary headaches were: 36% with episodic migraine, 43% with chronic migraine, 3% with episodic tension-type headache and 17% with chronic tension-type headache. The majority had attempted non-pharmacological treatment options such as physiotherapy (episodic migraine: 53%, chronic migraine: 68%, episodic tension-type headache: 50%, chronic tension-type headache: 65%) and acupuncture: (episodic migraine: 45%, chronic migraine: 62%, episodic tension-type headache: 17%, chronic tension-type headache: 51%). The majority of migraine patients had tried no more than one triptan (episodic migraine: 71%, chronic migraine: 66%). In total, 35% of episodic migraine and 19% of chronic migraine patients as well as 50% of episodic tension-type headache and 41% of chronic tension-type headache patients had never tried preventive medication. The headache under-response to treatment (HURT) questionnaire score was higher in chronic migraine (score 15) and chronic tension-type headache (score 16) patients than the episodic forms (P < 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

Headache patients had attempted several non-pharmacological treatments prior to their first visit at a tertiary headache center in Denmark. The limited use of acute and preventive treatment before the first visit demonstrates a need for better treatment at the primary and secondary care level.

Analysis of the prevalence of headaches subtypes in a specialized outpatient clinic in a municipality in medium-sized Minas Gerais

Objective To evaluate the prevalence of different subtypes of headaches in a tertiary referral clinic for headache care in the city of Barbacena. Methods A retrospective and descriptive cross-sectional cohort study that evaluated the medical records of 130 patients previously seen by a neurologist in January 2020 to March 2021 in the headache clinic. Results The mean age of patients was 42.5 years, most of them female (83.07%). Primary headaches were the most common, with migraine found in 73% of cases and tension-type headache (TTH) in 17%. Among secondary headaches, the most common subtype was headache attributed to a substance or its suppression (11%), followed by cases such as headache due to cranial neuralgia and central causes of facial pain (3%) and headache attributed to trauma or head and/or cervical injury (3%). All cases in which there was an association of diagnoses of headache subtypes were found in patients with migraine (100%). Conclusion This study defines the prevalence of headaches in a specialized outpatient clinic, confirming literature data that show migraine as the most common headache.

Study of the use of analgesics by patients with headache at a specialized outpatient clinic (ACEF)

Objective : To evaluate the use of analgesics in headache diagnosed in Outpatients Headache Clinic (ACEF), as well as his involvement in the activities of the patients. Method : 145 patients with headache seen at ACEF during the period August/July 2009/2010 underwent a questionnaire and interview with neurologist responsible for the final diagnosis according to ICHD-II. Results : Relationship Women:Men 7:1. 1) Prevalence: Migraine without aura (52.4%), migraine with aura (12.4%), chronic migraine (15.2%) and medication overuse headache (MOH) (20%). 2) Analgesic drugs used: Compounds with Dipyrone (37%), Dipyrone (23%), Paracetamol (16%) compound with Paracetamol (6%), triptans (6%) and non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (12%). There was a significant decrease in the duration of pain and less interference in the activities of the headache patients after the use of analgesics. Conclusion : Prevalence of MOH has been increasing in population level and specialized services. New studies emphasizing the MOH are needed to assist in the improvement of their diagnostic and therapeutic approach.

Temporo-mandibular disorders are an important comorbidity of migraine and may be clinically difficult to distinguish them from tension-type headache

Clinical differentiation between the primary headaches and temporomandibular disorders (TMD) can be challenging. Objectives : To investigate the relationship between TMD and primary headaches by conducting face to face assessments in patients from an orofacial pain clinic and a headache tertiary center. Method : Sample consists of 289 individuals consecutively identified at a headache center and 78 individuals seen in an orofacial pain clinic because of symptoms suggestive of TMD. Results : Migraine was diagnosed in 79.8% of headache sufferers, in headache tertiary center, and 25.6% of those in orofacial pain clinic (p<0.001). Tension-type headache was present in 20.4% and 46.1%, while the TMD painful occurred in 48.1% and 70.5% respectively (p<0.001). Conclusion : TMD is an important comorbidity of migraine and difficult to distinguish clinically from tension-type headache, and this headache was more frequent in the dental center than at the medical center.

Frequency of types of headache in the tertiary care center of the Hospital das Clínicas of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, MG, Brazil

OBJECTIVE

To assess the frequency of different diagnoses of headaches in the Headache Outpatient Clinic of the Hospital das Clínicas of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (AmbCef-UFMG).

METHODS

Cross sectional study with 289 patients consecutively attended to at AmbCef-UFMG. Headaches were diagnosed based on the criteria established by the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICDH-2004).

RESULTS

The average age of patients was 42.6 years, mostly women (86.9%) with less than nine years of education. Primary headaches were the most common type, with migraine found in 79.8% of cases, and tension-type headache (TTH) in 20.4%. Among the secondary types, the most common was headache caused by overuse of analgesics (16.6%), followed by less common types, such as idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Chronic daily headache (CDH) was found in 31.8% of cases.

CONCLUSION

This study confirms literature data showing migraine as the most common headache in tertiary care centers. The expressive number of cases of CDH and headaches caused by overuse of analgesics indicates that, starting at the primary care level, patients should be advised to avoid the abuse of symptomatic drugs.

Temporomandibular disorders and chronic daily headaches in the community and in specialty care

BACKGROUND

Chronic daily headaches (CDHs) are often associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). However, large studies assessing the relationship were conducted in general, and not clinical, populations. Thus, clinical exams were not completed. Clinic-based studies with expert diagnosis are, in turn, often small and may not be representative.

OBJECTIVE

To contrast the demographic and clinical symptoms of CDH and TMD in participants within the general population relative to patients seen in a headache clinic.

METHODS

All inhabitants 10 years and older of a small city in Brazil were interviewed. Those with more than 15 days of headache per month were examined by a team consisting of a neurologist, a dentist, and a physical therapist. Headaches were classified as per the Second Edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders and TMD as per the Research Diagnostic Criteria. The procedure was repeated (by the same team) with CDH sufferers consecutively seen in a headache center.

RESULTS

Of 1605 inhabitants interviewed, 57 (3.6%) had CDH, and 43 completed all physical assessments. For specialty care group, of 289 patients, 92 had CDH, and 85 completed all assessments. No significant differences were seen for gender and age, but education level was significantly higher among those recruited at specialty care. Muscular TMD happened in 30.2% of CDH patients from the community vs 55.3% in the headache center (difference of -25.1%, 95% confidence interval of difference=-40.8% to -9.4%). No TMD happened in 41.9% of those recruited from the population relative to 20% of those in the headache center (21.9%, 95% confidence interval=6.7-37.1%).

CONCLUSION

Individuals with CDH recruited from the general population are significantly less likely to have CDH relative to those selected from the headache center. Issues of generalizability are of concern when conducting clinic-based studies on the topic.

Cognitive impairment in migraine: A systematic review

Patients with migraine often report cognitive complaints, especially regarding attention and memory.