Are infrequent episodic, frequent episodic and chronic tension-type headache inherited? A population-based study of 11 199 twin pairs

J Headache Pain. 2006 Jun;7(3):119-26. doi: 10.1007/s10194-006-0299-x. Epub 2006 Jun 15.

Abstract

The objective was to investigate the importance of genetic and environmental factors for infrequent episodic, frequent episodic and chronic tension-type headache. Twin pairs recruited from the population-based Danish Twin Registry received a posted questionnaire. Only twin pairs where both twins replied were included. A total of 3523 monozygotic (MZ), 4150 dizygotic (DZ) same-gender and 3526 DZ opposite-gender twin pairs were included. The prevalence of frequent episodic and chronic tension-type headache was significantly more frequent in women than men, and significantly higher in those with co-occurrence of migraine. The concordance rates were significantly higher in MZ than same-gender DZ twin pairs with no or frequent episodic tension-type headache, while the difference was not significant in chronic tension-type headache. The concordance rates of infrequent episodic tension-type headache in MZ and same-gender DZ twin pairs was significantly different in women but not in men, although the difference was small in both genders. We conclude that genetic factors play a role in no and frequent episodic tension-type headache, while infrequent episodic tension-type headache is caused primarily by environmental factors. The data regarding chronic tension-type headache were limited, so no firm conclusion could be drawn.

Publication types

  • Twin Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chronic Disease
  • Denmark / epidemiology
  • Environment
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Population
  • Sex Characteristics
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Tension-Type Headache / classification
  • Tension-Type Headache / epidemiology*
  • Tension-Type Headache / genetics*
  • Twins, Dizygotic
  • Twins, Monozygotic