Primary headaches are the most common neurological disorder with an annual prevalence of more than 29% in the Greek general population1, whereas chronic headaches with an almost daily incidence of headache attacks have an annual prevalence of 4% in Greece1. A recent study by the Hellenic Headache Society found that chronic migraine has a 1% annual prevalence and that about 74,000 Greeks have almost daily headaches that greatly reduce their functionality. Accordingly, 640,000 Greeks suffer from migraine headaches that reduce their functionality, but only 6% receive prophylactic treatment2. At the global level, headaches are the second most common / serious public health problem in modern culture that causes disabilities with dramatic impacts on personal and public life 3,4. To address them, the European Confederation of Headaches (EFF) has proposed organizing special headache centers stratified into three categories, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade and 3rd Grade5. The Outpatient Headache Clinic of the 1st Neurology Department (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens) is tertiary and operates in accordance with EHF5 recommendations5.
1. Mitsikostas DD, Tsaklakidou D, Athanasiadis N, Thomas A. The prevalence of headache in Greece: correlations to latitude and climatological factors. Headache. 1996 Mar;36(3):168-73.
2. Mitsikostas DD, Arvaniti C, Constantinidis T, Dermitzakis E, Fakas N, Rudolf J, Vikelis M, on behalf of the Hellenic Headache Society. A population based survey for headaches in Greece to estimate prevalence and treatment preferences (AAN 2018). Neurology April 2018;90 (Supplement 15):P3.143
3. Global Burden of Disease Study 2013 Collaborators. Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 301 acute and chronic diseases and injuries in 188 countries, 1990-2013: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013. Lancet. 2015 Aug 22;386(9995):743-800.
4. Steiner TJ, Birbeck GL, Jensen RH, Katsarava Z, Stovner LJ, Martelletti P. Headache disorders are third cause of disability worldwide. J Headache Pain. 2015;16:58.
5. Steiner TJ, F. Antonaci F, Jensen R, Lainez MJA, Lanteri-Minet M, Valade D. Recommendations for headache service organisation and delivery in Europe. J Headache Pain 2011; 12:419-26.