Korean J Pediatr.  2015 Feb;58(2):64-68. 10.3345/kjp.2015.58.2.64.

Screening for depression and anxiety disorder in children with headache

• Lee SM
• Yoon JR
• Yi YY
• Eom S
• Lee JS
• Kim HD
• Cheon KA
• Kang HC

• KMID: 2140675
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3345/kjp.2015.58.2.64

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the importance of initial screening tests for depression and anxiety disorders in children with headache. In addition, this study evaluated whether the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) and Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS) are suitable for screening symptoms of depression and anxiety.
METHODS
A retrospective chart review was conducted of 720 children aged 7-17 years who had visited a pediatric neurology clinic for headaches and were referred to a pediatric psychiatric clinic for psychiatric symptoms from January 2010 to December 2011. All patients completed the CDI and RCMAS. Among them, charts of patients with clinically significant total scores (cutoff>15) for psychiatric symptoms, as defined by the CDI and RCMAS scoring scales, were reviewed.
RESULTS
Nineteen patients had headaches and clinically significant total scores for psychiatric symptoms. The mean age at headache diagnosis was 11.7 years, and 57% were male. Mean duration of headache was 11.5 months. Two point eight percent of the patients were diagnosed with psychiatric disorders including major depression (1.7%), generalized anxiety disorder (1.1%), and bipolar disorder (0.1%). Four patients (0.6%) were diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Total mean CDI and RCMAS scores of patients referred to the psychiatric clinic were 18.8 and 22.2, respectively. There was no correlation between CDI or RCMAS total scores and headache frequency, duration, or severity.
CONCLUSION
We recommend that all patients with headache should be screened for depression and anxiety by CDI and RCMAS scores.

Keyword

Headache; Anxiety disorders; Depression

MeSH Terms

Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders*
Bipolar Disorder
Child*
Depression*
Diagnosis
Headache*
Humans
Male
Manifest Anxiety Scale
Mass Screening*
Neurology
Retrospective Studies
Weights and Measures