Psychological distress, neuroticism and disability associated with secondary chronic headache in the general population - the Akershus study of chronic headache.

Background: Primary headaches are associated with psychological distress, neuroticism and disability. However, little is known about headache-related disability and psychological distress among people with secondary chronic headaches.

Methods: 30,000 persons aged 30-44 from the general population was screened for headache by a questionnaire.

Pericranial tenderness in chronic tension-type headache: the Akershus population-based study of chronic headache.

Background: Most knowledge on chronic tension-type headache (CTTH) is based on data from selected clinic populations, while data from the general population is sparse. Since pericranial tenderness is found to be the most prominent finding in CTTH, we wanted to explore the relationship between CTTH and pericranial muscle tenderness in a population-based sample.

Methods: An age- and gender-stratified random sample of 30,000 persons aged 30-44 years from the general population received a mailed questionnaire.

Self-reported efficacy of complementary and alternative medicine: the Akershus study of chronic headache.

Background: Chronic headache is associated with disability and high utilisation of health care including complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

Findings: We investigated self-reported efficacy of CAM in people with chronic headache from the general population. Respondents with possible self-reported chronic headache were interviewed by physicians experienced in headache diagnostics.

Management of secondary chronic headache in the general population: the Akershus study of chronic headache.

Background: The prevalence of secondary chronic headache in our population is 0.5%. Data is sparse on these types of headache and information about utilisation of health care and medication is missing.

Dependence scores predict prognosis of medication overuse headache: a prospective cohort from the Akershus study of chronic headache.

Medication overuse headache (MOH) is a chronic headache that is common in the general population. It has characteristics similar to drug dependence, and detoxification is established as the main treatment. The majority of MOH cases are in contact with general practitioners.

Management of primary chronic headache in the general population: the Akershus study of chronic headache.

Primary chronic headaches cause more disability and necessitate high utilisation of health care. Our knowledge is based on selected populations, while information from the general population is largely lacking. An age and gender-stratified cross-sectional epidemiological survey included 30,000 persons aged 30-44 years.

Cervicogenic headache in the general population: the Akershus study of chronic headache.

Objective: The objective was to study the prevalence of cervicogenic headache (CEH) in the general population.

Methods: An age- and gender-stratified random sample of 30,000 persons aged 30-44 years received a mailed questionnaire. Those with self-reported chronic headache were interviewed by neurological residents.

3-Year follow-up of secondary chronic headaches: the Akershus study of chronic headache.

The objective was to investigate the 3-year course of secondary chronic headaches (⩾15days per month for at least 3months) in the general population. An age and gender stratified random sample of 30,000 persons aged 30-44years from the general population received a mailed questionnaire. All with self-reported chronic headache, 517 in total, were interviewed by neurological residents.

The severity of dependence score correlates with medication overuse in persons with secondary chronic headaches. The Akershus study of chronic headache.

The objective was to compare the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS) score and pattern of medication use in persons with secondary chronic headache (>or= 15 days/month for at least 3 months) in a cross-sectional epidemiological survey. A posted questionnaire screened for chronic headache. Neurological residents interviewed those with self-reported chronic headache.

Prevalence of primary chronic headache in a population-based sample of 30- to 44-year-old persons. The Akershus study of chronic headache.

Background: Prevalence data on primary chronic headache in the general population based on clinical interviews by physicians are lacking.

Methods: In a cross-sectional epidemiological survey, a random sample of 30,000 persons from Akershus County, aged 30-44 years, were sent a postal questionnaire. Those with self-reported chronic headache within the last month and/or year were invited to a semi-structured diagnostic interview and a physical and neurological examination conducted by 2 neurological residents with experience in headache diagnostics.