A cross-sectional study of co-morbid generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder in patients with tension-type headache attending tertiary health care centre in central rural India.

BACKGROUND: Tension-type headache (TTH) is one of the most common reasons patients seek medical treatment. Psychiatric co-morbidities such as anxiety and depression have been commonly observed in patients with TTH.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to study the prevalence and severity of co-morbid generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) in patients with TTH.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in the Tertiary Health Care Centre in Central Rural India, with a sample size of 85. Data were recorded in the predesigned, semi-structured questionnaire. Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) were used to categorise the co-morbid anxiety and depression.

RESULTS: About 48.2% of the study participants were in the age group of 31-40 years with a mean age of 36.8 ± 7.1 years. Higher proportions of female study participants (64.7%) were observed. Majority of the study participants were literate (76.5%), employed (57.7%), married (78.8%) and had rural residence (54.1%). The prevalence of co-morbid GAD was 70.6%, whereas the prevalence of co-morbid MDD was 54.1%. According to HAM-A, 31.8% had mild, 21.2% had moderate, while 17.6% had severe anxiety levels. According to HDRS, 34.1% had mild, 16.5% had moderate and 3.5% had severe co-morbid depression.

CONCLUSION: TTH is frequently associated with co-morbid GAD and MDD.