Course of frequent/daily headache in the general population and in medical practice

Rev Neurol Dis. 2010;7(4):103-10.

Abstract

Frequent headache is defined as headaches ≥ 15 days/month and daily headache operationally as headaches ≥ 5 days/week. In this article, we review the outcome of frequent/ daily headache in the general population and in medical practice. In the general population, within 1 year fewer than half of those with frequent/daily headache will still have frequent/daily headache, with a gradual further decrease over subsequent years. In medical practice, the results of studies suggest a one-third reduction in headache days/month over 6 to 12 months, with nearly 40% of patients with frequent/daily improving ≥ 50% in headache days/month over the same time period (50% responder rate). In terms of predictors of poor outcome, no clear picture emerges.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Clinical Trials as Topic / methods
  • Clinical Trials as Topic / trends*
  • Headache / diagnosis
  • Headache / epidemiology
  • Headache / therapy
  • Headache Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Headache Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Headache Disorders / therapy
  • Humans
  • Population Surveillance* / methods
  • Treatment Outcome