Interictal pain in cluster headache.
BACKGROUND
Cluster headache is characterized by severe attacks of unilateral pain, but many patients experience symptoms more commonly associated with migraine such as persistent pain.


METHODS
We evaluated cluster headache patients using a questionnaire and chart review to determine clinical characteristics.


RESULTS
Twenty-four of 50 subjects reported interictal pain outside of their acute attacks. Sixteen reported persistent pain more than half the time while in cycle. Unlike acute attacks, this pain was generally mild.


CONCLUSIONS
Subjects with persistent interictal pain were more likely to have chronic cluster, allodynia, and suboptimal response to sumatriptan, suggesting that interictal pain in cluster headache may predict a more severe disease process.
Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Michael.marmura@jefferson.edu
Michael J
MJ
Marmura
Scott J
SJ
Pello
William B
WB
Young
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003027:Cluster Headache / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D018170:Sumatriptan / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D018170:Sumatriptan