Prevalence and Incidence of Headache in Adolescent Finnish Twins

Authors: Virtanen, Ruut; Aromaa, Minna; Koskenvuo, Markku; Sillanpää, Matti; Rose, Richard J.; Metsähonkala, Liisa; Helenius, Hans; Anttila, Pirjo; Kaprio, Jaakko

Source: Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, Volume 49, Number 10, November/December 2009 , pp. 1503-1512(10)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

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Abstract:

Objectives.—

The study aim was to determinate changes in prevalence and incidence rates of headache among adolescent Finnish twins. Methods.—

Questionnaire data were collected during 1994-1998 from a nationwide sample of Finnish families of 11-year-old twins who were born between 1983 and 1987 (n = 6262) and again at ages of 14 and 17. Results.—

During follow-up, the prevalence of regular headache (ie, at least once a month = RHA) increased from 59% at age 11 to 65% at age 14 and decreased to 63% at age 17. Among boys the prevalence of RHA increased significantly from 59% at age 11 to 62% at age 14 decreasing to 52% at age 17. Among girls the prevalence rates increased significantly between ages of 11 and 14 from 60% to 68% up to 74% at age 17. The prevalence of weekly headache increased in girls between ages of 11 and 14 from 16% to 25%. Incidence of RHA (at least once a month) decreased from 47% at age 14 to 44% at age 17 in girls and from 44% at age 14 to 30% at age 17 in boys. Conclusions.—

RHA is more common in girls than boys during puberty, while the incidence of RHA declined especially in boys during same age period.

Keywords: headache; child; adolescent; prevalence; incidence

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1526-4610.2009.01528.x

Publication date: 2009-11-01