Recurrent headache in indian adolescents.
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Date
2009-07
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Abstract
Objective. To analyze the epidemiology and characteristics of primary recurrent headaches in Indian adolescents.
Methods. This cross sectional study was conducted in three urban public schools. Adolescents of 9th to 12th grades were
included and they were given a questionnaire in their classrooms in the presence of at least one of the authors, who
assisted them in filling it. They were asked to provide responses based on most severe recurrent headache they had
experienced rather than the more frequent one. Diagnosis was based upon the information contained in questionnaire,
however, where it was inadequate, those subjects were approached telephonically. Statistical analysis was done with the
help of SPSS v. 11.0. Descriptive analysis, Chi-Square test, Fisher’s Exact test, and independent sample‘t’ test were run.
Results. We studied 2235 adolescents (boys: girls 1.6:1). 57.5% adolescents reported recurrent headaches in past one
year. Migraine was the most prevalent (17.2%) headache followed by unspecified (14.9%) and tension type headache
(11%). Family history of headache was more common in adolescents with headache (p < 0.001) compared to those without
headache. Average age of headache onset was 11.33 yr (10.72 yr in girls vs. 11.75 years in boys; p < 0.001). 37.1%
adolescents complained of progression of headache since its onset. A significantly higher proportion of girls suffered
headache (p=0.018), particularly migraine, than boys. However, other characteristics of headache were not dependent upon
gender. Headache was more prevalent in higher grades. Conclusion. Primary recurrent headaches are prevalent in Indian
adolescents and migraine is comparatively the most prevalent type of headache. Female gender and increasing age is
associated with higher chances to have headache, particularly migraine. It progresses in approximately one third of
sufferers and aura increases the chances of worsening of headache.
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Keywords
Recurrent headache, Adolescents, Prevalence
Citation
Gupta Ravi, Bhatia Manjeet Singh, Dahiya Devendra, Sharma Sameer, Sapra Rahul, Semalti Kapil, Dua Raman Preet Singh. Recurrent headache in indian adolescents. Indian Journal of Pediatrics. 2009 Jul; 76(7): 733-737.