A 3-year follow-up of headache diagnoses and symptoms in Swedish schoolchildren

• Information is sparse concerning the incidence and prognosis of headache in children from the general population, especially of tension-type headache. In this study, headache diagnoses and symptoms were reassessed in 122 out of 130 schoolchildren after 3 years. Nearly 80% of those with headache at first evaluation still reported headache at follow-up. Although the likelihood of experiencing the same headache diagnosis and symptoms was high, about one-fifth of children with tension-type headache developed migraine and vice versa. Female gender predicted migraine and frequent headache episodes predicted overall headache at follow-up. The estimated average annual incidence was 81 and 65 per 1000 children, for tension-type headache and migraine, respectively. We conclude that there is a considerable risk of developing and maintaining headache during childhood. Headache diagnoses should be reassessed regularly and treatment adjusted. Girls and children with frequent headache have a poorer prognosis and therefore intervention is particularly important in these groups.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Neurologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Neurology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Adolescent

Child

Female

Follow-Up Studies

Humans

Incidence

Male

Migraine Disorders/*diagnosis/*epidemiology

Outcome Assessment (Health Care)

Prognosis

Questionnaires

Research Support; Non-U.S. Gov't

Risk Assessment/*methods

Risk Factors

Sex Distribution

Students/*statistics & numerical data

Sweden/epidemiology

Tension-Type Headache/*diagnosis/*epidemiology

MEDICINE

MEDICIN

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)