Over 600 million people aged 18-65 will have headache tomorrow: global 1-day prevalence and recall bias from a meta-analysis of individual participant data (N = 38,512) from the general populations of 15 countries
Abstract
Background: Our recent estimate of the global 1-year prevalence of headache among those aged 18-65 years was 65%: considerably higher than previous estimates, but based solely on high-quality epidemiological data derived from a large population-based sample. Here we present complementary estimates of 1-day prevalence.
Methods: We performed a meta-analysis of individual participant data from cross-sectional surveys among population-representative samples (age range 18-65 years) from 15 countries and all world regions. All used the Headache-Attributed Restriction, Disability, Social Handicap and Impaired Participation (HARDSHIP) questionnaire, including the question "did you have a headache yesterday?", from which 1-day prevalence was determined. An algorithmic process applying modified ICHD criteria yielded separate estimates for migraine, tension-type headache (TTH) and probable medication-overuse headache (pMOH: the association of headache on ≥ 15 days/month and medication overuse). We analysed associations with age, gender and country-income level, and adjusted prevalence estimates for these factors. We calculated predicted 1-day prevalence from 1-year prevalence and reported headache frequency.
Results: Among the 38,512 participants, females (53.4%) and participants from low- (17.1%) or lower-middle-income countries (64.6%) were overrepresented, but age distribution fairly matched that of the world. Overall, 13.7% (95% CI: 13.3-14.0) reported headache yesterday, females…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 38,512 participants or records.
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