ABSTRACT
Tension-type headache is the most common headache type. Estimates of its prevalence have varied widely. In Western countries, one-year prevalence ranges from 28-63% in men and from 34-86% in women, depending, in part, on methodologic differences between studies. A lifetime
Table 7.1 IHS criteria for migraine and tension-type headache
Migraine ‡ 5 attacks lasting 4-72 h Two of the following four:
unilateral pulsating moderate to severe intensity aggravation by routine physical activity
One of the following: nausea and/or vomiting photophobia and phonophobia
No evidence on history or examination of disease that might cause headaches
Tension-type headache 10 attacks lasting 30 min-7 days Two of the following four:
bilateral not pulsating mild or moderate intensity no aggravation by routine physical activity
One of the following: no nausea/vomiting either photophobia or phonophobia or neither
No evidence on history or examination of disease that might cause headaches
Adapted with permission from reference 2
prevalence of 69% in men and 88% in women, and a one-year prevalence of 63% in men and 86% in women, was found in Denmark3. Interestingly, in mainland China there was a very low prevalence of tension-type headache4.
