Epidemiology of headache in Arab countries

Benamer, H. T.S., Deleu, D. and Grosset, D. (2009) Epidemiology of headache in Arab countries. Journal of Headache and Pain, 11(1), pp. 1-3. (doi: 10.1007/s10194-009-0173-8) (PMID:19949829) (PMCID:PMC3452181)

Abstract

The epidemiology of headache in Arab countries was systematically reviewed through Medline identification of four papers reporting headache prevalence in the Arab nations of Qatar, Saudi Arabia (2 papers) and Oman. The prevalence of headache varied from 8 to 12% in Saudi Arabia to 72.5% in Qatar and 83.6% in Oman. Headache was commoner in females and younger people. The prevalence of tension headache was 3.1–9.5% in Saudi Arabia and the 1-year prevalence in Qatar was 11.2%. The migraine prevalence was 2.6–5% in Saudi Arabia and 7.9% in Qatar, while the 1-year migraine prevalence was 10.1% in Oman. The results show a migraine prevalence within that estimated worldwide. However, it is clear that epidemiological data from Arab countries are lacking, and there is disparity in the reported prevalence from Saudi Arabia when compared with its two neighbours, Qatar and Oman. Wider study adopting the same methodology in the six Gulf countries (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait) is needed to examine variations in headache and migraine prevalence.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Grosset, Professor Donald
• Authors: Benamer, H. T.S., Deleu, D., and Grosset, D.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
• Journal Name: Journal of Headache and Pain
• Publisher: Springer
• ISSN: 1129-2369
• ISSN (Online): 1129-2377
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2009 Springer Verlag
• First Published: First pubiished in Journal of Headache and Pain 11(1):1-3
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy