Headache and multiple sclerosis: a population-based case-control study in Catania, Sicily.
We carried out a population-based case-control study to evaluate the association between multiple sclerosis (MS) and headache. We had previously determined the incidence of MS during 1990-1999 in Catania, Sicily, identifying 155 incident MS patients; these subjects underwent a telephone interview using a standardized questionnaire for headache. Diagnosis and classification of headaches were made according to International Headache Society criteria (1988). A control group was selected from the general population through random digit dialling. One hundred and one (65.2%) MS patients, of the 155 identified, and 101 controls were screened for headaches. Fifty-eight (57.4%) MS patients and 38 (37.2%) controls fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of headache. A significant association between MS and headache was found with an adjusted odds ratio, estimated by logistic regression, of 2.18 (95% confidence interval 1.27, 3.93). Frequency of headaches in our MS population is higher than in the general population, supporting the hypothesis of a possible association between these two conditions.
Nicoletti
A
A
Department of Neurosciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
Patti
F
F
Lo Fermo
S
S
Liberto
A
A
Castiglione
A
A
Laisa
P
P
Garifoli
A
A
La Naia
F
F
Maimone
D
D
Sorbello
V
V
Contrafatto
D
D
Zappia
M
M
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D017668:Age of Onset; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012802:Sicily / Q000453:epidemiology