Characteristics and comorbidities of headache in patients over 50 years of age: a cross-sectional study
Abstract Background Although headache is a common complaint in younger individuals, it is one of the most common complaints among persons over the age of 50 and is a significant cause of morbidity. As there are differences in the causes and types of headache, the diagnosis and management of headache...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-04-01
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| Series: | BMC Geriatrics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-022-03027-1 |
| _version_ | 1811291018647044096 |
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| author | Mansoureh Togha Mohammad Javad Karimitafti Zeinab Ghorbani Fatemeh Farham Fereshteh Naderi-Behdani Somayeh Nasergivehchi Zahra Vahabi Shadi Ariyanfar Elham Jafari |
| author_facet | Mansoureh Togha Mohammad Javad Karimitafti Zeinab Ghorbani Fatemeh Farham Fereshteh Naderi-Behdani Somayeh Nasergivehchi Zahra Vahabi Shadi Ariyanfar Elham Jafari |
| author_sort | Mansoureh Togha |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Although headache is a common complaint in younger individuals, it is one of the most common complaints among persons over the age of 50 and is a significant cause of morbidity. As there are differences in the causes and types of headache, the diagnosis and management of headache in older adults differ from that in younger individuals. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 570 patients ≥ 50 years were recruited at a university affiliated tertiary headache center between 2016 and 2019. Demographic data, headache characteristics, and comorbid medical conditions were recorded. The presence of depression was explored using the Beck Depression Inventory. The patients were evaluated using the STOP-BANG scale to determine the risk of obstructive sleep apnea. Results The mean age of the patients was 57.7 years. Seventy-three percent of the patients had primary headache disorders, with the most prevalent types being migraine, followed by tension-type headache. Secondary headaches were primarily the result of overuse of medication, cervical spine disease, and hypertension. Patients with medication-overuse headache were significantly more likely to suffer from hypothyroidism and gastrointestinal problems such as bleeding/ulcers. Irritable bowel syndrome was also more common in patients with medication-overuse headaches and migraines. The risk for obstructive sleep apnea was intermediate in 45.2% of the patients with hypertension-induced headache, but was lower in the majority of others. There was a high tendency for moderate-to-severe depression in the participants; however, the Beck Depression Inventory scores were significantly higher in medication-overuse headache patients. Conclusion Proper treatment of headache in middle-aged and older adults requires the recognition of secondary causes, comorbid diseases, and drug induced or medication overuse headaches. Special attention should be paid to depression and obstructive sleep apnea in such patients suffering from headache disorders. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T04:23:07Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-725fd4502591450c9f6afc7395252274 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2318 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T04:23:07Z |
| publishDate | 2022-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Geriatrics |
| spelling | doaj.art-725fd4502591450c9f6afc73952522742022-12-22T03:02:39ZengBMCBMC Geriatrics1471-23182022-04-0122111010.1186/s12877-022-03027-1Characteristics and comorbidities of headache in patients over 50 years of age: a cross-sectional studyMansoureh Togha0Mohammad Javad Karimitafti1Zeinab Ghorbani2Fatemeh Farham3Fereshteh Naderi-Behdani4Somayeh Nasergivehchi5Zahra Vahabi6Shadi Ariyanfar7Elham Jafari8Headache Department, Iranian Center of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical SciencesDepartment of General Surgery, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health ServicesDepartment of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Diseases Research Center, Heshmat Hospital, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical SciencesHeadache Department, Iranian Center of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Neurology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Neurology, Baharloo Hospital, Tehran University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Geriatric Medicine, Ziaeian Hospital, Tehran University of Medical SciencesHeadache Department, Iranian Center of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical SciencesHeadache Department, Iranian Center of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background Although headache is a common complaint in younger individuals, it is one of the most common complaints among persons over the age of 50 and is a significant cause of morbidity. As there are differences in the causes and types of headache, the diagnosis and management of headache in older adults differ from that in younger individuals. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 570 patients ≥ 50 years were recruited at a university affiliated tertiary headache center between 2016 and 2019. Demographic data, headache characteristics, and comorbid medical conditions were recorded. The presence of depression was explored using the Beck Depression Inventory. The patients were evaluated using the STOP-BANG scale to determine the risk of obstructive sleep apnea. Results The mean age of the patients was 57.7 years. Seventy-three percent of the patients had primary headache disorders, with the most prevalent types being migraine, followed by tension-type headache. Secondary headaches were primarily the result of overuse of medication, cervical spine disease, and hypertension. Patients with medication-overuse headache were significantly more likely to suffer from hypothyroidism and gastrointestinal problems such as bleeding/ulcers. Irritable bowel syndrome was also more common in patients with medication-overuse headaches and migraines. The risk for obstructive sleep apnea was intermediate in 45.2% of the patients with hypertension-induced headache, but was lower in the majority of others. There was a high tendency for moderate-to-severe depression in the participants; however, the Beck Depression Inventory scores were significantly higher in medication-overuse headache patients. Conclusion Proper treatment of headache in middle-aged and older adults requires the recognition of secondary causes, comorbid diseases, and drug induced or medication overuse headaches. Special attention should be paid to depression and obstructive sleep apnea in such patients suffering from headache disorders.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-022-03027-1HeadacheMiddle-age and olderMigraineTension-type headacheDepressionSleep apnea |
| spellingShingle | Mansoureh Togha Mohammad Javad Karimitafti Zeinab Ghorbani Fatemeh Farham Fereshteh Naderi-Behdani Somayeh Nasergivehchi Zahra Vahabi Shadi Ariyanfar Elham Jafari Characteristics and comorbidities of headache in patients over 50 years of age: a cross-sectional study BMC Geriatrics Headache Middle-age and older Migraine Tension-type headache Depression Sleep apnea |
| title | Characteristics and comorbidities of headache in patients over 50 years of age: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Characteristics and comorbidities of headache in patients over 50 years of age: a cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Characteristics and comorbidities of headache in patients over 50 years of age: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Characteristics and comorbidities of headache in patients over 50 years of age: a cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Characteristics and comorbidities of headache in patients over 50 years of age: a cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | characteristics and comorbidities of headache in patients over 50 years of age a cross sectional study |
| topic | Headache Middle-age and older Migraine Tension-type headache Depression Sleep apnea |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-022-03027-1 |
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