Retrospective assessment of geriatric aged patients attend with headache according to 3. international headache classification scale

Headache is the most seen complaint when applications to the neurology and emergency department has been evaluated. In older people, headache has similar prevelance with young people but its known as in this age group more dangerous situations can cause headache, it must been evaluated carefully. The aim of this study is to evaluation of epidemiologic features, etiologic factors and response to the treatment of headache in 65 years and older [mean age 73,5±6,9] patients. In this retrospective study, datas of 175 patients [49 man (% 28), 126 women (% 72)] were evaluated who are 65 years and older and consulted our department in 2011-2013. The classification of headache was done according to history and further investigation and "3rd International Headache Classification" criteria were used. Consequently, headache prevelance was found more prevelant epidemiologically in women. The most frequently seen headache type was primary headache (% 81.1). The most frequent primary headaches were tension type headache (% 39.4), trigeminal neuralgia (%31), migraine with no aura (% 13.4), migraine with aura (% 7.7). Hypertension induced headache (% 24.2), headache related to temporal arteritis (% 18.2), headache related to cervical pathology (% 18.2), headache related to intracranial mass lesions (% 12.1) were the most frequently seen secondary headache types. When brain MRI is evaluted according to the headache types, the most frequent image in primary headaches were ischemic gliotic changes (% 73.9). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were in first, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) were in second place in use of prophylaxyis in primary headache. There was no difference between risk factors associated with primary and secondary headache groups. The results of our study were found similarly as the other epidemiologic studies. According to this, the most frequent headache type seen in elderly is primary headache. In older people, in order to make more effective headache diagnosis and treatment protocols, it is estimated that to do prospective, multiple centered studies with more patients, will be more useful.