Background and Significance of Headache in the Elderly

Oct 13, 2025 by magicalceylontours.com 15 views

Background and Significance of Headache in the Elderly

Headache is a common health complaint that affects a significant portion of the community, particularly among the elderly population. As people age, the frequency of primary headache tends to decrease, while secondary headache shows a significant increase, especially after the age of 50 years. This phenomenon is a cause for concern, as headache in the elderly often indicates a more serious underlying medical condition. Therefore, it is essential to conduct a thorough assessment of the medical conditions (comorbid) that the patient may experience.

Research Objectives and Methodology

This study aims to describe the characteristics of headache in elderly patients who seek treatment at the neurological polyclinic R.S.U.P Haji Adam Malik during the period January to December 2018. The research was conducted using a descriptive approach with a cross-sectional method, allowing researchers to obtain clear and detailed data about the characteristics of headache in the elderly within a specific time frame.

Research Findings and Results

The results of the study showed that headache was more common in the elderly, with a prevalence reaching 54.6% compared to senility, which was only 44.4%. Furthermore, the study found that women were more likely to experience headache, with a proportion of 53.1% compared to 46.9% in men. The type of secondary headache was more prevalent than primary headache, with a percentage of 64.2% and 35.8%, respectively.

In terms of etiology, non-vascular disorders in intracranial, such as malignant neoplasm, were the most common causes of headache in the elderly (42%). Other disorders that were also experienced included complaints in cranial, eyes, ears, sinus cavities, and teeth and mouth (9.9%), vascular disorders (4.9%), material/substance reactions (4.9%), migraine (4.9%), and psychiatric disorders (1.2%).

The duration of headache that lasted more than three days was also often experienced by elderly patients, with a proportion of 77.8%. Only a small portion of pain with shorter duration, such as 4 hours to 3 days (11.1%), 30 minutes to 4 hours (7.4%), and less than 30 minutes (3.7%).

Treatment and Management of Headache in the Elderly

The study found that the combination of therapy between paracetamol and sodium diclofenac was the most common choice given, reaching 27.1%. Meanwhile, Ibuprofen and Amitriptyline were used in 12.3% of patients, and other variations were also applied with 43.4% of patients receiving different management.

Conclusion and Implications

Based on the research conducted in the period January to December 2018, headache in elderly patients in the neurological polyclinic R.S.U.P Haji Adam Malik is mostly experienced by women aged 60 to 74 years. The most common type of headache is secondary headache, with the main cause being malignant neoplasm. The most common duration of headache is more than 3 days, while the dominant treatment is a combination of paracetamol therapy and sodium diclofenac. Knowledge of this picture is essential to increase the diagnosis and treatment approach for elderly patients who experience headache.

Recommendations for Future Research

Future research should focus on the following areas:

Conducting a longitudinal study to examine the progression of headache in the elderly over time
Investigating the effectiveness of different treatment options for headache in the elderly
Exploring the relationship between headache and other comorbid conditions in the elderly
Developing a comprehensive treatment plan for headache in the elderly that takes into account their unique needs and circumstances.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

The study was conducted in a single neurological polyclinic, which may limit the generalizability of the findings
The study relied on self-reported data, which may be subject to bias and error
The study did not control for other potential confounding variables that may have influenced the results.

Future Directions for Research

Future research should aim to address these limitations and build on the findings of this study. This may involve conducting larger, more diverse studies that examine the characteristics of headache in the elderly in different settings and populations. Additionally, researchers should strive to develop more effective treatment options for headache in the elderly that take into account their unique needs and circumstances.

Q: What is the most common type of headache experienced by elderly patients?

A: The most common type of headache experienced by elderly patients is secondary headache, which is caused by an underlying medical condition. In this study, the main cause of secondary headache was malignant neoplasm.

Q: What is the most common duration of headache experienced by elderly patients?

A: The most common duration of headache experienced by elderly patients is more than 3 days, with a proportion of 77.8%.

Q: What is the most common treatment option for headache in elderly patients?

A: The most common treatment option for headache in elderly patients is a combination of paracetamol and sodium diclofenac, which was given to 27.1% of patients.

Q: Are there any differences in the experience of headache between men and women in the elderly population?

A: Yes, the study found that women were more likely to experience headache than men, with a proportion of 53.1% compared to 46.9% in men.

Q: What are some potential comorbid conditions that may be associated with headache in the elderly?

A: Some potential comorbid conditions that may be associated with headache in the elderly include malignant neoplasm, vascular disorders, material/substance reactions, migraine, and psychiatric disorders.

Q: How can healthcare providers improve the diagnosis and treatment of headache in the elderly?

A: Healthcare providers can improve the diagnosis and treatment of headache in the elderly by taking a comprehensive approach that includes a thorough medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic testing. They should also consider the patient's unique needs and circumstances, such as their age, comorbid conditions, and medication regimen.

Q: What are some potential limitations of this study?

A: Some potential limitations of this study include the fact that it was conducted in a single neurological polyclinic, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. Additionally, the study relied on self-reported data, which may be subject to bias and error.

Q: What are some potential future directions for research on headache in the elderly?

A: Some potential future directions for research on headache in the elderly include conducting larger, more diverse studies that examine the characteristics of headache in the elderly in different settings and populations. Researchers should also strive to develop more effective treatment options for headache in the elderly that take into account their unique needs and circumstances.

Q: How can patients and caregivers help to manage headache in the elderly?

A: Patients and caregivers can help to manage headache in the elderly by encouraging them to seek medical attention if they experience frequent or severe headaches. They should also work with healthcare providers to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that takes into account the patient's unique needs and circumstances.

Q: What are some potential resources for patients and caregivers who are dealing with headache in the elderly?

A: Some potential resources for patients and caregivers who are dealing with headache in the elderly include the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the American Headache Society (AHS), and the American Geriatrics Society (AGS). These organizations provide information and resources on headache in the elderly, as well as support and advocacy for patients and caregivers.