Behnam Rabiee1, Payam Mohammadinejad1, Ramin Kordi1, Masud Yunesian2. 1. Sports Medicine Research Center, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 2. Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the prevalence and characteristics of primary exertional headache (EH) among the Iranian general population living in Tehran, the capital city of the country. BACKGROUND: Headache is the most common complaint and is listed in the top 10 most disabling conditions. Epidemiological researches on headache can demonstrate its actual burden. There are still limited data on EH, especially in Iran and the Middle East. METHODS: A Persian questionnaire was designed based on the International Headache Society (IHS) criteria of headache disorders (ICHD-II). Face-to-face interviews were performed by 5 trained medical interns on a sample size of 2300 people. RESULTS: Data for a total number of 2076 subjects were enrolled for final analysis. The mean age of the subjects at the time of the study was 36.3 ± 14.6 years. The 1-year prevalence of EH was 7.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.2-8.4%). The prevalence of EH was significantly higher in females compared to males (10.0% vs 5.4%, P < .001). The mean age of the subjects with EH was 32 ± 12.1 years. None of our EH patients received medical consult prior to the study. CONCLUSION: EH seems to be less prevalent among the Iranian population compared to previous studies.
OBJECTIVE: In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the prevalence and characteristics of primary exertional headache (EH) among the Iranian general population living in Tehran, the capital city of the country. BACKGROUND:Headache is the most common complaint and is listed in the top 10 most disabling conditions. Epidemiological researches on headache can demonstrate its actual burden. There are still limited data on EH, especially in Iran and the Middle East. METHODS: A Persian questionnaire was designed based on the International Headache Society (IHS) criteria of headache disorders (ICHD-II). Face-to-face interviews were performed by 5 trained medical interns on a sample size of 2300 people. RESULTS: Data for a total number of 2076 subjects were enrolled for final analysis. The mean age of the subjects at the time of the study was 36.3 ± 14.6 years. The 1-year prevalence of EH was 7.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.2-8.4%). The prevalence of EH was significantly higher in females compared to males (10.0% vs 5.4%, P < .001). The mean age of the subjects with EH was 32 ± 12.1 years. None of our EH patients received medical consult prior to the study. CONCLUSION: EH seems to be less prevalent among the Iranian population compared to previous studies.