Classification and characteristics of 593 patients with headache

Abstract

Objective To assess the classification and characteristics of headaches using the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (beta version) criteria in a headache outpatient clinic. Methods In this prospective cross-sectional study, all consecutive patients presenting with headache to a headache outpatient clinic of Peking Union Medical College Hospital between April 1 st, 2014 and February 28th, 2015 were included. Results The average age of 593 patients was (42.1±15.6) years with female-male ratio 1.89∶1. Primary headaches were found in 483(81.5%) patients, of which migraine and tension-type headache were found in 264(44.5%) patients and 168 (28.3%) patients respectively. Chronic daily headache and new headache were found in 158 (26.6%) patients and 130 (21.9%) patients, while cough headache and thunderclap headache were found in 9 (1.5%) patients and 5 (0.8%) patients respectively. Patients with migraine were more likely complicated with medication-overuse headache than patients with tension-type headache (χ2=4.21, P=0.032). Patients with tension-type headache were more likely complicated with chronic daily headache than patients with migraine (χ2=18.92, P=0.000). Conclusions In this headache outpatient clinic, most patients were primary headaches. Chronic daily headache and new headache were common, while cough headache and thunderclap headache were uncommon. These headache syndromes should be paid attention to identify the possible underlying malignant etiologies. Key words: Migraine disorders; Tension-type headache; Headache disorders, primary; Headache disorders, secondary