Brazilian headache registry: methods and preliminary data of the pilot study

Background Evaluation and treatment of primary and secondary headaches is a global public health challenge. Recognizing the epidemiological impact of headaches, a group of researchers linked to the Brazilian Headache Society proposed the Brazilian Headache Registry and drew up its initial protocol. Objective Here we describe the methods and preliminary data obtained from the pilot study. Methods This was a multicenter longitudinal observational study conducted between September 2020 and August 2021. Prospective data were collected in three specialist centers for headache care in states in southern and southeastern Brazil. Patients aged 18 years or older who sought care for headache in tertiary centers and who agreed to participate in the study, were considered eligible. Results Sixty-six patients were included in the pilot study: 43 (65%) from Rio Grande do Sul state and 23 (35%) from Minas Gerais state. Overall, 90% were female, and the subjects' mean age was 38.2 +/- 11.2 years. Primary headaches accounted for 85.3% of the diagnoses made. Among secondary headaches, medication overuse headache was the most frequent type (7.1%).

Automated summary

The Brazilian Headache Society proposed the Brazilian Headache Registry and conducted a pilot study in three specialist centers for headache care in southern and southeastern Brazil. The study found that primary headaches accounted for 85.3% of the diagnoses, with medication overuse headache being the most frequent type among secondary headaches.