Get your full text copy in PDF

Introduction: The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of migraine among adolescents, estimation of perceived stress estimation and evaluation of stress influence upon migraine. Methods: The methods of investigations were based on the clinical examination and survey. The diagnosis of migraine was established in accordance with the International Headache Society (IHS) standards. Stress influence was established according to the PSS-10 Cohen psychological scale of perceived stress, modified for Polish society by Z. Juczyński. Population of 2373 students (1431 girls and 942 boys) aged 13-19 successfully accomplished the study. Results: Based on clinical findings and survey migraine was observed in 389 students (16.8%), including 80 (8.5%) boys and 318 (22.2%) girls. The correlation between age of subjects and migraine prevalence was not observed. Average number of headache days was 48.4. In 82 patients with migraine, coexisting T-TH (20.6%) was found. Average number of headache days among this group was 147.8. The average perceived stress index among the group with migraine was 22.9%, including 23.8% for girls and 19.3% for boys. Perceived stress index revealed an increase with age of patients. The average perceived stress index among patients with coexisting migraine and T-TH was 34.1%. In headache free patients, the average perceived stress index was 16.9%. Conclusions: Among adolescents, prevalence of migraine did not correlate with patient’s age. Migraine was more prevalent among girls. Among adolescents, an increasing with age stress level was diagnosed. The correlation between the increased stress level and the frequency of migraine episodes was found. (Clin Exp Med Lett 2008; 49(1): 59-63)

Keywords: migraine, Adolescent, Headache, psychosocial stress