The prevalence and impact of headache in Brazil.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: In Brazil, several epidemiological studies on headache have been produced, most with an emphasis on prevalence and the association of primary headaches with some sociodemographic characteristics of the population. Data on the burden of headache, however, are scarce. The aim of this paper is to review all Brazilian population-based studies on headache, as well as to analyze the Migraine Disability Assessment Score (MIDAS) data collected with the PhD thesis of the senior author (LPQ). METHOD: A literature review was performed using the keywords ("headache" or "migraine") and ("epidemiology" or "prevalence") and (Brazil). Another part of this paper will look at unpublished data on disability (MIDAS), collected with the prevalence data of the Brazilian nationwide epidemiological study of headache. RESULTS: There are 6 published epidemiological studies of headache in Brazil. The mean 1-year prevalence of headache in Brazil is 70.6%, of migraine 15.8%, of tension-type headache (TTH) 29.5%, and of chronic daily headache (CDH) 6.1%. Disability is significantly higher: in females compared to males; in patients with migraine and CDH compared to patients with TTH; and in those with headaches ≥15 days per month rather than those with episodic headaches. There was also a positive relationship between pain intensity and severity of disability. Patients with higher disability used more both abortive and prophylactic medication. CONCLUSIONS: The mean prevalence of headache in Brazil, and some of its subtypes, is similar to the rates described in other countries of the world. Disability is higher in females, in patients with migraine, in individuals with headaches ≥15 days per month, and in those with severe head pain.

Headache classification and aspects of reproductive life in young women.

OBJECTIVE: To classify headaches as a function of the menstrual cycle and to contrast aspects relating to the reproductive cycle as a function of headache type. METHOD: Participants responded to a structured questionnaire consisting of 44 questions. Detailed headache information, enabling the classification of headaches, and questions relating to the menstrual cycle were obtained. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 422 students. Menstrual headaches were experienced by 31.8%. Migraine without aura (MO) occurred in 13.3%, migraine with aura (MA) in 7.8%, and probable migraine in 6.4%. Women with MA were significantly more likely to have reached menarche at earlier ages than women without headaches (p=0.03). Use of a hormonal contraceptive was related to the function of having MA headaches or not. CONCLUSION: Most female college students are affected by menstrual headaches. Although the vast majority experience MO, other headaches also occur. Women with MA are equally likely to receive hormonal contraceptives as others.

Headache classification and aspects of reproductive life in young women / Classificacao das cefaleias e aspectos da vida reprodutiva em mulheres jovens

Objective: To classify headaches as a function of the menstrual cycle and to contrast aspects relating to the reproductive cycle as a function of headache type. Method: Participants responded to a structured questionnaire consisting of 44 questions. Detailed headache information, enabling the classification of headaches, and questions relating to the menstrual cycle were obtained. Results: The sample consisted of 422 students. Menstrual headaches were experiencedby 31.8%. Migraine without aura (MO) occurred in 13.3%, migraine with aura (MA) in 7.8%, and probable migraine in 6.4%. Women with MA were significantly more likely to have reached menarche at earlier ages than women without headaches (p=0.03). Use of a hormonal contraceptive was related to the function of having MA headaches or not. Conclusion: Most female college students are affected by menstrualheadaches. Although the vast majority experience MO, other headaches also occur. Women with MA are equally likely to receive hormonal contraceptives as others. .

Objetivo: Classificar cefaleias em relação ao ciclo menstrual e contrastar aspectos relacionados ao ciclo reprodutivo de acordo com o tipo de cefaleia. Método: Participantes responderam um questionário estruturado de 44 perguntas. Foi obtida informação detalhada das cefaleias, permitindo sua classificação e perguntas relativas ao ciclo menstrual. Resultados: A amostra foi constituída de 422 estudantes. Cefaleias menstruais foram constatadas em 31,8%. Migrânea sem aura (MO) ocorreu em 13,3% delas, migrânea com aura (MA) em 7,8%, provável migrânea em 6,4%. Mulheres com MA apresentaram probabilidade significativamente maior de ter sua menarca em idades mais precoces do que mulheres sem cefaleia (p=0,03). O uso de contraceptivos apresentou frequência semelhante independentemente da mulher ter ou não migrânea com aura. Conclusão: A maioria das mulheres estudantes universitárias apresenta cefaleia menstrual. Apesar da MO representar a maioria, outras cefaleias também ocorrem. Mulheres com MA podem receber contraceptivos hormonais com probabilidade de desenvolver cefaleia igual às mulheres com outros tipos de cefaleia. .

Unusual headache syndromes.

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: Some headache syndromes have few cases reported in the literature. Their clinical characteristics, pathogenesis, and treatment may have not been completely defined. They may not actually be uncommon but rather under-recognized and/or underreported. METHODS: A literature review of unusual headache syndromes, searching PubMed and ISI Web of Knowledge, was performed. After deciding which disorders to study, relevant publications in scientific journals, including original articles, reviews, meeting abstracts, and letters or correspondences to the editors were searched. FINDINGS: This paper reviewed the clinical characteristics, the pathogenesis, the diagnosis, and the treatment of five interesting and unusual headache syndromes: exploding head syndrome, red ear syndrome, neck-tongue syndrome, nummular headache, and cardiac cephalgia. CONCLUSIONS: Recognizing some unusual headaches, either primary or secondary, may be a challenge for many non-headache specialist physicians. It is important to study them because the correct diagnosis may result in specific treatments that may improve the quality of life of these patients, and this can even be life saving.

A nationwide population-based study of tension-type headache in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the 1-year prevalence of tension-type headache (TTH) and the degree of the association of TTH with some sociodemographic characteristics of a representative sample of the adult population of Brazil. METHODS: This was an observational, cross-sectional, population-based study. We conducted telephone interviews on 3848 people, aged 18-79 years, randomly selected from the 27 states of Brazil. Trained lay interviewers administered the structured questionnaire. It included questions about the sociodemographic characteristics of the population, as well as questions about headache. The degree of the association was calculated through prevalence ratios, adjusted with Poisson regression by gender, age, years of education, marital status, household income, job status, body mass index (BMI), and physical exercise. RESULTS: The estimated 1-year gender- and-age-adjusted prevalence of TTH was 13.0% (95% CI: 11.8-14.2%); 15.4% in males and 9.5% in females. The prevalence of probable TTH was 22.6% (95% CI: 21.1-24.1%). Most (86.2%) subjects reported episodic TTH; 6.4% had chronic TTH. The prevalence was higher at 18-29 years of age (16.2%). TTH was 1.6 times more prevalent in men, and 1.54 times more in subjects with more than 11 years of education. There was no significant association of TTH with marital or job status, household income, BMI, and physical activity. CONCLUSION: This is the first nationwide epidemiological study of TTH in Brazil. The overall prevalence of TTH in Brazil is low, at 13%. TTH is significantly more prevalent in males and subjects with higher education level.

High-altitude headache.

High-altitude headache (HAH) is an important public health problem because many of the millions of visitors to locations high above sea level get significant headaches each year. Headache is the most common symptom of acute exposure to high altitude. It may be a manifestation of acute mountain sickness (AMS), as well as of chronic mountain sickness (CMS). This article describes the clinical picture of AMS and CMS. The clinical characteristics of HAH are presented, its pathophysiology is discussed, and the acute and preventive treatment options are reviewed.