Idade como fator de risco independente para cefaléias secundárias

Abstract

To verify if the age is a risk factor for secondary headaches, regardless the time interval since the onset of the headache complaint. 1131 patients were selected, with the main complaint of headache. The ratio of secondary headaches was evaluated and compared between young and elderly patients in general; between individuals with headache starting before and after 60 years of age; and between young and elderly subjects with headache having started for less than one year. Elderly patients in general and individuals with headache having started after 60 years of age presented a higher ratio of secondary headaches than the young subjects and the ones whose pain started before 60 years of age. Elderly subjects with headache of recent start presented a higher ratio of secondary headaches than young individuals with the same time of pain evolution. Age is an independent risk factor for secondary headaches, regardless the time interval since the onset of the complaint.