Prevalence of cervicogenic headache: Vågå study of headache epidemiology.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the prevalence and various clinical characteristics of cervicogenic headache (CEH) in the population at large.


METHODS
CEH was searched for in Vågå, Norway, where 1838 18 to 65-year-old citizens, i.e. 88.6% of this age group, underwent an interview/clinical examination. The Cervicogenic Headache International Study Group criteria include: (I) unilaterality of head pain, (II) reduction, range of movement, neck, (III/IV) ipsilateral shoulder/arm discomfort, (V/VI) mechanical provocation of similar pain, objectively or subjectively.


RESULTS
A prevalence of 4.1% was found. In 41 cases with the highest number of CEH criteria ('core' cases), there was a male preponderance (F/M: 0.71). While cervicogenic traits (mechanical precipitation etc.) were frequently present in CEH, 'migraine traits', like nausea, vomiting, and throbbing seemed to be rarely present. In 97% of the cases, pain exacerbations began in the neck/occipital region.


CONCLUSIONS
CEH may be one of the three large, recurrent headaches. In this series, there was no female preponderance. Nuchal onset of pain is a characteristic trait.
Sjaastad
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Department of Neurology, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospitals (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway. eylert.brodtkorb@ntnu.no
Bakketeig
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D051298:Post-Traumatic Headache / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution