Abstract

Background
Frequent episodic tension-type headache (ETTH) is a subtype of tension-type headache (TTH) based upon ICHD-2 criteria. ETTH is generally considered as mild primary headache disorder but the impact of frequent ETTH has not been evaluated separately from infrequent ETTH. Therefore, this study evaluated the impact of frequent ETTH. Method: For this study, a stratified random population sample of Koreans, over the age of 19, was selected and evaluated using a 12-item, semi-structured interview designed to identify headache type using ICHD-2 criteria. The burden of the headache was evaluated by the headache impact test-6 (HIT-6). Results: Among 1507 participants, 463 (30.7%) were diagnosed with TTH; 228 were diagnosed with frequent ETTH, 224 were infrequent ETTH, and 11 were chronic TTH. Thirty-two patients (6.9%) with TTH had substantial to severe impact in HIT-6 (≥56); 22 had frequent ETTH, 7 had infrequent TTH, and 3 had chronic TTH (p<0.01). Frequent TTH, severity of pain by visual analogue scales, aggravation with physical activity, moderate or severe intensity, and phonophobia influenced on total scores of HIT-6. Conclusion: Frequent ETTH is a common headache disorder and had significant impact, so medical and social attentions are promptly needed.