Characteristic and Overlapping Features of Migraine and Tension-Type Headache

Objective.—This epidemiological survey was conducted to investigate comprehensive characteristic and overlapping features of migraine and tension‐type headache (TTH) disorders classified based on International Classification of Headache Disorders‐II. Methods.—The stratified cohort of this study was composed of 2504 schoolchildren aged 10 to 17 years. A 38‐item questionnaire inquiring all characteristic features of primary headache syndromes mandatory for classification was applied to selected 483 children with recurrent headache in the last 6 months. Results.—Migraine was diagnosed in 227 (47.0%) of 483 children and TTH in 154 (31.9%). Out of 125 children with definite migraine, 73 (58.4%) reported tension‐type symptoms and 94 (68.1%) of 138 children with definite TTH reported migraine‐type symptoms. Pressing pain (21%) and lack of aggravation of pain by physical activity (34%) were the major tension‐type features in patients with migraine. Throbbing quality (43%) and aggravation by physical activity (30%) determined the main migraine‐type features in patients with TTH. Conclusion.—The frequent co‐occurrence of migraine and TTH symptoms suggests the presence of a common pathogenesis.