Headache among adults and its effect on quality of life in a town of western Turkey

ABSTRACT

To determine the prevalence of headache and evaluate its effect on health related quality of life [HRQoL]. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 410 adults aged 20-64 years residing in a town of Western Turkey between 01 Sep., 2008 and 30 Nov., 2008. The evaluation of headache was scored according to the diagnosis criteria of the International Headache Society. The SF-36 scale was used to rate the HRQoL. The statistical analysis was carried out using Chi-square [x[2]] and One-Way ANOVA test. A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The mean scores for subjects with headache for all the domains in the scale were significantly higher than those without [p < 0.05, for each one]. The distribution of the severity of headache was as follows mild 41.0%, moderate 31.4%, severe 27.6%. In all the domains of SF-36, as the severity of headache increased, the scores received from the domains of SF-36 showed decrease except for the mental health [p < 0.05, for each one]. This study found that the prevalence of headache was rather high, reaching almost three quarters [71.5%]. This indicates the need for knowledge concerning headache still exists and needs to be addressed by health education programs