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Considerations in the Treatment of Tension-Type Headache in the Elderly

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Abstract

Tension-type headache (TTH) is the most prevalent headache type in all age groups worldwide, including patients with advanced age. Because of its high prevalence and possible association with medical and psychiatric co-morbidities, TTH has a major socioeconomic impact. The lifetime prevalence of TTH ranges between 30 and 78 %, and the 1-year prevalence in individuals over the age of 55 years is 35.8 % (27.8 % in men, 42.4 % in women). Since the prevalence of secondary headache disorders increases in the elderly, the initial evaluation of this group of patients with a new-onset headache or a change in a pre-existing headache pattern should be directed towards their exclusion. This article reviews the diagnostic and treatment dilemmas encountered in elderly patients with tension-type headaches, highlighting both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.

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Acknowledgments

Dr. Silberstein has acted as a consultant and/or advisory panel member for Alder Biopharmaceuticals; Allergan, Inc.; Amgen; Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; eNeura Inc.; ElectroCore Medical, LLC; Medscape, LLC; Medtronic, Inc.; Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc.; Neuralieve; NINDS; Pfizer, Inc.; Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; and Teva Pharmaceuticals. His employer receives research support from Allergan, Inc.; Amgen; Cumberland Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; ElectroCore Medical, LLC; Labrys Biologics; Eli Lilly and Company; Merz Pharmaceuticals; and Troy Healthcare.

Dr. Wrobel Goldberg has no conflict of interest.

Dr. Grosberg served on the advisory board for Tribute Pharmaceutical and on the speaker's board of Zogenix. Dr. Grosberg is a director of the Montefiore Headache Center, which receives research support from Allergan, Electrocore, and Novartis.

No funding was received for this review.

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  1. Headache Center, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 900 Walnut Street, Suite 200, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA

    Stephanie Wrobel Goldberg & Stephen Silberstein

  2. Montefiore Headache Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1575 Blondell Avenue, Suite 225, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA

    Brian M. Grosberg

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  1. Stephanie Wrobel Goldberg
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Wrobel Goldberg, S., Silberstein, S. & Grosberg, B.M. Considerations in the Treatment of Tension-Type Headache in the Elderly. Drugs Aging 31, 797–804 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40266-014-0220-2

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