Review article
TENSION-TYPE HEADACHE FROM THE ASPECTS OF PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES AND TREATMENT POSSIBILITIES
MARINA TITLIĆ
; Split University Hospital Centre, Department of Neurology and University of Split, School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
MARIO MIHALJ
; Split University Hospital Centre, Department of Neurology and University of Split, School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
PETAR FILIPOVIĆ-GRČIĆ
; Split University Hospital Centre, Department of Neurology and University of Split, School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
ANA ĆURKOVIĆ KATIĆ
; Split University Hospital Centre, Department of Neurology, Split, Croatia
ANA FILIPOVIĆ-GRČIĆ
; University of Split, School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
Abstract
Introduction: Tension-type headache (TTH) belongs to the group of primary headaches. The pain origin is not completely clear, nor is the pathophysiological process of its occurrence. The headache may be of episodic (lasting for up to 15 days) or chronic (lasting for 15 or more days) type. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess public health issues of TTH and the possibilities of its appropriate treatment and prophylaxis. Methods: In this research, we used the PubMed database and the words ‘tension-type headache, prevalence and therapy’. Results: The TTH prevalence signifi cantly oscillates depending on socioeconomic conditions and, possibly, race differences. The prevalence increases with age. It is more common in women. It is treated with analgesics and nonsteroidal antirheumatic agents. Chronic TTH prophylaxis includes amitriptyline, mitrazapine and venlafaxine. When necessary, second-line prophylaxis that includes clomipramine, maprotiline and mianserin is administered. Besides these, non-medicamentous treatment methods such as acupuncture, biofeedback, cognitive-behavioral treatment and relaxation trainings are also used. Discussion: In the modern world, TTH is a relatively often public-health issue the pathophysiological mechanism of which has not been clarifi ed yet. This headache is deemed to be of multifactorial cause. Besides episodic headaches, a much greater problem is chronic TTH that requires continuous prophylaxis. The non-medicamentous methods of TTH prophylaxis are insuffi ciently researched and require clinical scientifi c evaluation. Conclusion: In the modern world, TTH, especially chronic TTH, makes a public-health issue that is to be adequately treated. Besides the wide variety of medicamentous therapies, required are also auxiliary treatment methods that need to be additionally evaluated.
Keywords
tension-type headache; episodic; chronic; prevalence; treatment
Hrčak ID:
230814
URI
Publication date:
5.12.2019.
Visits: 1.789 *