THE PREVALENCE OF MIGRAINE AND TENSION HEADACHE IN SAUDI-ARABIA - A COMMUNITY-BASED STUDY

The prevalence of migraine and tension headache was determined in a 2- stage, door-to-door community survey in Thugbah, Saudi Arabia. Out of 22630 subjects surveyed, 2742 individuals had headaches thus yielding a crude prevalence of 12.1% (95% CI = 11.7-12.5%) and with age-adjustm ent, it rose to 15.9% (95% CI = 15.4-16.4%). There was female preponde rance overall and the peak frequency was in the 3rd decade. The age-sp ecific rates rose from 2.4% in the first decade to 37.2% in the 7th de cade. The prevalence of tension-type headache (PR 9.5%; 95% CI = 9.1-9 .9%) was higher than migraine (PR = 5.0%; 95% CI = 4.7-5.3%). The low headache prevalence in this community compared to findings in western countries could be ascribed to the young age of the population and/or could possibly reflect the influence of traditional life styles and cu ltural factors in the Kingdom.