Cluster headache and depression.
OBJECTIVE
As cluster headache (CH) is often referred to as "suicide headache," we wanted to assess the prevalence of depression in CH patients, and to investigate determinants of depression such as sleep disturbances.


METHODS
In a cross-sectional, web-based, validated questionnaire study among 462 well-defined CH patients and 177 controls, we diagnosed CH according to the ICHD-III. We assessed depression using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-D) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D) with supplementary questions to assess lifetime depression. Data were analyzed with logistic and linear regression models.


RESULTS
Lifetime depression showed almost 3 times higher odds in CH patients (n = 462) than controls (n = 177) (odds ratio 2.77; 95% confidence interval 1.70-4.51). Chronic (n = 67) vs episodic (n = 394) patients had a higher prevalence of lifetime depression and more sleeping problems. Current depression was associated with having active attacks (last attack <1 month) (adjusted p = 0.02), but no effect remained after correction for sleep disturbances.


CONCLUSIONS
CH is associated with an almost 3 times increased odds of lifetime depression. Current depression is highly prevalent in patients with active disease, in part related to sleep disturbances due to current nocturnal attacks.
From the Departments of Neurology (M.A.L., L.A.W., J.H., W.P.J.v.O., M.D.F., G.M.T.), Psychiatry (M.A.L., F.G.Z.), and Biostatistics (E.W.v.Z.), Leiden University Medical Centre; Department of Neurosurgery (L.A.W.), Maastricht University Medical Centre; and Department of Neurology (J.H.), Alrijne Hospital, Leiderdorp, the Netherlands.
Mark A
MA
Louter
From the Departments of Neurology (M.A.L., L.A.W., J.H., W.P.J.v.O., M.D.F., G.M.T.), Psychiatry (M.A.L., F.G.Z.), and Biostatistics (E.W.v.Z.), Leiden University Medical Centre; Department of Neurosurgery (L.A.W.), Maastricht University Medical Centre; and Department of Neurology (J.H.), Alrijne Hospital, Leiderdorp, the Netherlands.
Leopoldine A
LA
Wilbrink
From the Departments of Neurology (M.A.L., L.A.W., J.H., W.P.J.v.O., M.D.F., G.M.T.), Psychiatry (M.A.L., F.G.Z.), and Biostatistics (E.W.v.Z.), Leiden University Medical Centre; Department of Neurosurgery (L.A.W.), Maastricht University Medical Centre; and Department of Neurology (J.H.), Alrijne Hospital, Leiderdorp, the Netherlands.
Joost
J
Haan
From the Departments of Neurology (M.A.L., L.A.W., J.H., W.P.J.v.O., M.D.F., G.M.T.), Psychiatry (M.A.L., F.G.Z.), and Biostatistics (E.W.v.Z.), Leiden University Medical Centre; Department of Neurosurgery (L.A.W.), Maastricht University Medical Centre; and Department of Neurology (J.H.), Alrijne Hospital, Leiderdorp, the Netherlands.
Erik W
EW
van Zwet
From the Departments of Neurology (M.A.L., L.A.W., J.H., W.P.J.v.O., M.D.F., G.M.T.), Psychiatry (M.A.L., F.G.Z.), and Biostatistics (E.W.v.Z.), Leiden University Medical Centre; Department of Neurosurgery (L.A.W.), Maastricht University Medical Centre; and Department of Neurology (J.H.), Alrijne Hospital, Leiderdorp, the Netherlands.
Willebrordus P J
WP
van Oosterhout
From the Departments of Neurology (M.A.L., L.A.W., J.H., W.P.J.v.O., M.D.F., G.M.T.), Psychiatry (M.A.L., F.G.Z.), and Biostatistics (E.W.v.Z.), Leiden University Medical Centre; Department of Neurosurgery (L.A.W.), Maastricht University Medical Centre; and Department of Neurology (J.H.), Alrijne Hospital, Leiderdorp, the Netherlands.
Frans G
FG
Zitman
From the Departments of Neurology (M.A.L., L.A.W., J.H., W.P.J.v.O., M.D.F., G.M.T.), Psychiatry (M.A.L., F.G.Z.), and Biostatistics (E.W.v.Z.), Leiden University Medical Centre; Department of Neurosurgery (L.A.W.), Maastricht University Medical Centre; and Department of Neurology (J.H.), Alrijne Hospital, Leiderdorp, the Netherlands.
Michel D
MD
Ferrari
From the Departments of Neurology (M.A.L., L.A.W., J.H., W.P.J.v.O., M.D.F., G.M.T.), Psychiatry (M.A.L., F.G.Z.), and Biostatistics (E.W.v.Z.), Leiden University Medical Centre; Department of Neurosurgery (L.A.W.), Maastricht University Medical Centre; and Department of Neurology (J.H.), Alrijne Hospital, Leiderdorp, the Netherlands. g.m.terwindt@lumc.nl.
Gisela M
GM
Terwindt
D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003027:Cluster Headache / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009862:Online Systems; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires