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Open Access 01-04-2007 | Review

Genetics of tension-type headache

Author: Michael Bjørn Russell

Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain | Issue 2/2007

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the importance of genetics in tension-type headache. A MEDLINE search from 1966 to December 2006 was performed for “tension-type headache and prevalence” and “tension-type headache and genetics” The prevalence of tensiontype headache varies from 11 to 93%, with a slight female preponderance. Co-occurrence of migraine increases the frequency of tension-type headache. A family study of chronic tension-type headache suggests that genetic factors are important. A twin study analysing tension-type headache in migraineurs found that genetic factors play a minor role in episodic tension-type headache. Another twin study analysing twin pairs without co-occurrence of migraine showed a significantly higher concordance rate among monozygotic than same-gender dizygotic twin pairs with no or frequent episodic tension-type headache, while the difference was minor in twin pairs with infrequent episodic tensiontype headache. Frequent episodic and chronic tension-type headache is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, while infrequent episodic tensiontype headache is caused primarily by environmental factors.

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Title: Genetics of tension-type headache
Author: Michael Bjørn Russell
Publication date: 01-04-2007
Publisher: Springer Milan
Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain / Issue 2/2007
Print ISSN: 1129-2369
Electronic ISSN: 1129-2377
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10194-007-0366-y

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Genetics of tension-type headache

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