Prevalence of migraine, tension-type headache and trigeminal neuralgia in multiple sclerosis.
BACKGROUND
Prevalence rates of headache in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients varied widely in recent studies. This study aimed to investigate the 1 year prevalence of headache in MS compared with the general population.


METHODS
Population-based case-control study in Germany.


RESULTS
We included 491 patients with definite MS (68% female, mean age 45.3 years, 63.7% relapsing remitting MS, mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 3.2, 106 treated with interferon-beta, 53 with glatiramer acetate, 271 untreated) and 447 age and gender matched controls. Headache was diagnosed with a validated questionnaire according to the International Headache Society Criteria. Headache prevalence was 56.2% (tension type headache 37.2%, migraine 24.6%). Headache prevalence rates did not differ from controls. Headache was not associated with disability or treatment. Trigeminal neuralgia was found in 6.3% of MS cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that headache in MS patients reflects comorbidity in most conditions.
Putzki
N
N
Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany. norman.putzki@uni-due.de
Pfriem
A
A
Limmroth
V
V
Yaldizli
O
O
Tettenborn
B
B
Diener
H C
HC
Katsarava
Z
Z
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D010455:Peptides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015995:Prevalence; D018781:Tension-Type Headache / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D010455:Peptides; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D016899:Interferon-beta