TENSION-TYPE HEADACHE IN DIFFERENT AGE-GROUPS AT 2 HEADACHE CENTERS

At two headache centers, one for children and adolescents and the othe r for adults, we investigated patients aged 5-80 years with episodic o r chronic tension-type headache to evaluate the relation between age a nd headache characteristics as well as analgesics intake. We found an increasing headache frequency and duration, an increasing variability of the headache location, and an increasing frequency of nausea with i ncreasing age. All other headache features did not depend on age. Addi tionally, our study revealed a marked increase of analgesics use in ad ults compared to children and adolescents. In conclusion, children, ad olescents, and adults referred for tension-type headache show minor di fferences in some headache features, but a marked change of analgesics intake. The different headache symptoms may be causally related to ag e, but an influence of medication or other factors must also be consid ered.