Epidemiologic and Clinical Characteristics of Migraine and Tension- Type Headaches and estimating their prevalence in Shiraz (Southern IRAN) hospitals staff

Headache is a common symptom that constitutes a major health problem to all countries in the world. Tension-type headache and migraine comprise two third of different kinds of headaches. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalences of migraine and tension -type headaches,(TTH) it's associated occupational risk factors among Shiraz hospitals staff, to report on clinical�characteristics of migraine and TTH, and comparison of headaches with IHS diagnosis criteria.

This was a case- control study using prevalence data a random sample (stratified random sample) of 1023 hospital staffs of Shiraz (Iran). Subjects were stratified by personnel category (nurse, clerical and manual). For each patient, two controls of the same sample were selected who had never been diagnosed as having migraine or tension type headaches. Logistic regression was used for data analysis.

Prevalence of Migraine was estimated as 11.2% (115 subjects), tension-type headache as 19.5% (199 subjects) and coexisting migraine and tension headaches 3.2% (33 subjects). In this study, clinical characteristics of headache like type, site, number, intensity, concomitant symptom headaches, also that effects of headaches on work have surveyed.TTH and migraine headaches was significantly associated with self reported abnormal sleep pattern and female gender. Also TTH was negatively associated with total 24hr duration of sleep and history of involvement in second job significantly.

The average of prevalence of migraine and tension headaches were lower than in western countries but higher than in previous studies conducted in other Asian countries. Clinical characteristics were almost consistent with IHS criteria, Headache- related missed work rates higher for subjects with Migraine headache, also tension – type headache and migraine were separate disorders and not part of a continuum of headache disorders. Headache disorders deserve more attention, especially concerning strategies leading to adequate primary prevention, diagnosis and treatment.