The prevalence of migraine and tension headache in Saudi Arabia: a community‐based study

Abstract

The prevalence of migraine and tension headache was determined in a 2‐stage, door‐to‐door community survey in Thugbah, Saudi Arabia. Out of 22630 subjects surveyed, 2742 individuals had headaches thus yielding a crude prevalence of 12.1% (95% CI = 11.7–12.5%) and with age‐adjustment, it rose to 15.9% (95% CI = 15.4–16.4%). There was female preponderance overall and the peak frequency was in the 3rd decade. The age‐specific rates rose from 2.4% in the first decade to 37.2% in the 7th decade. The prevalence of tension‐type headache (PR 9.5%; 95% CI = 9.1–9.9%) was higher than migraine (PR = 5.0%; 95% CI = 4.7‐5.3%). The low headache prevalence in this community compared to findings in western countries could be ascribed to the young age of the population and/or could possibly reflect the influence of traditional life styles and cultural factors in the Kingdom.