Epidemiology of headache in Europe

Abstract

The present review of epidemiologic studies on migraine and headache in Europe is part of a larger initiative by the European Brain Council to estimate the costs incurred because of brain disorders. Summarizing the data on 1-year prevalence, the proportion of adults in Europe reporting headache was 51%, migraine 14%, and Ôchronic headacheÕ (i.e. ‡15 days/month or ÔdailyÕ) 4%. Generally, migraine, and to a lesser degree headache, are most prevalent during the most productive years of adulthood, from age 20 to 50 years. Several European studies document the negative influence of headache disorders on the quality of life, and health-economic studies indicate that 15% of adults were absent from work during the last year because of headache. Very few studies have been performed in Eastern Europe, and there are also surprisingly little data on tension-type headache from any country. Although the methodology and the quality of the published studies vary considerably, making direct comparisons between different countries difficult, the present review clearly demonstrates that headache disorders are extremely prevalent and have a vast impact on public health. The data collected should be used as arguments to increase resources to headache research and care for headache patients all over the continent.

Long-term benefits of botulinum toxin type A (BOTOX) in chronic daily headache: a five-year long experience

“…In CDH, attacks occur at least 15 days per month, for three months consecutively. Incidence is higher in women than in men [2].…”

An emerging problem in clinical practice: how to treat chronic headache patients

“…In Europe, this affects about 51% of the population, of which 31% are tension-type headache and 14% are migraine sufferers; 2% of these patients become chronic sufferers, more than 15/day/month, and chronic daily headache (CDH). 4-5% of general population suffers from a chronic form (CDH), with prevalence between 1.7 and 2.1% in men and between 2.8 and 6.8% in women [2]; within this group of patients in the US general population ranges around 1.3-2% of chronic migraine (CM).A number of possible pathophysiological mechanisms for the transformation from episodic to chronic headache have been proposed including a progressive damage of the central nociceptive system. One physiopathological hypothesis is the activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA receptors glutamate, released by central nociceptive terminations, induces calcium entry in dorsal horn neurons, as well as in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis.…”

“…In Europe, this affects about 51% of the population, of which 31% are tension-type headache and 14% are migraine sufferers; 2% of these patients become chronic sufferers, more than 15/day/month, and chronic daily headache (CDH). 4-5% of general population suffers from a chronic form (CDH), with prevalence between 1.7 and 2.1% in men and between 2.8 and 6.8% in women [2]; within this group of patients in the US general population ranges around 1.3-2% of chronic migraine (CM).…”

Aspirin and tension-type headache

“…TTH represents the most frequent headache form, involving 82% of headache sufferers, while 14% of this population is affected by migraine and 4% by a chronic form (chronic daily headache, CDH) [30].…”