Headache among adults and its effect on quality of life in a town of western Turkey
Abstract
Objective: To determine the prevalence of headache and evaluate its effect on health related quality of life (HRQoL).
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 410 adults aged 20-64 years residing in a town of Western Turkey between 01 Sep., 2008 and 30 Nov., 2008. The evaluation of headache was scored according to the diagnosis criteria of the International Headache Society. The SF-36 scale was used to rate the HRQoL. The statistical analysis was carried out using Chi-square (x2) and One-Way ANOVA test. A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The mean scores for subjects with headache for all the domains in the scale were significantly higher than those without (p < 0.05, for each one). The distribution of the severity of headache was as follows: mild 41.0%, moderate 31.4%, severe 27.6%. In all the domains of SF-36, as the severity of headache increased, the scores received from the domains of SF-36 showed decrease except for the mental health (p < 0.05, for each one).
Conclusion: This study found that the prevalence of headache was rather high, reaching almost three quarters (71.5%). This indicates the need for knowledge concerning headache still exists and needs to be addressed by health education programs.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 410 adults aged 20-64 years residing in a town of Western Turkey between 01 Sep., 2008 and 30 Nov., 2008. The evaluation of headache was scored according to the diagnosis criteria of the International Headache Society. The SF-36 scale was used to rate the HRQoL. The statistical analysis was carried out using Chi-square (x2) and One-Way ANOVA test. A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The mean scores for subjects with headache for all the domains in the scale were significantly higher than those without (p < 0.05, for each one). The distribution of the severity of headache was as follows: mild 41.0%, moderate 31.4%, severe 27.6%. In all the domains of SF-36, as the severity of headache increased, the scores received from the domains of SF-36 showed decrease except for the mental health (p < 0.05, for each one).
Conclusion: This study found that the prevalence of headache was rather high, reaching almost three quarters (71.5%). This indicates the need for knowledge concerning headache still exists and needs to be addressed by health education programs.
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