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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Natural History of Cluster Headache
        
(Message started by: Maffumatt on Oct 29^th, 2007, 6:42pm)

Title: Natural History of Cluster Headache
Post by Maffumatt on Oct 29^th, 2007, 6:42pm

http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1526-4610.1982.hed2205203.x?journalCode=hed

Cluster patients lost to follow-up for a period of from three to eight years were the subject of this study. One hundred and forty-nine/169 drop-outs or their relatives were contacted via mailings, telephone calls, or professional missing-person searchers; and questioned regarding headache status and serious illness.

Of the 149 drop-out patients, 75 (50.3%) reported no change in headache. Eleven (7.4%) had experienced a shift in headache type, that is, from chronic to episodic or episodic to chronic, equally. Fifty-one (34.2%) had experienced a prolonged (permanent ?) remission, and twelve (8.1%) had died. Thus, the major determinants of drop-out status included prolonged remission (longer than usual remission duration) and death (42.3%). Remission and mortality rates increased with duration of cluster disorder.

Prolonged (permanent ?) remission rates were highest among patients who had previously experienced usual remission period durations of one year or longer.

Mortality increased with age. Cancer mortality, however, was found to be twice that of coronary artery disease and stroke combined. There was a proportionately higher representation of women and chronic types in the cancer mortality group. Although all patients in this group had smoked cigarettes and drank alcohol, no correlation could be made between extent of these habits and site of cancer.

Does this mean we are more susceptible to cancer?

Title: Re: Natural History of Cluster Headache
Post by Beastfodder on Oct 29^th, 2007, 7:22pm

And susceptible to mortality as we get older apparently!

Title: Re: Natural History of Cluster Headache
Post by E-Double on Oct 29^th, 2007, 8:30pm

we are more susceptible to falling off the face of the earth according to the docs....

when not in pain many just try to forget about the condition then reappear just when in cycle.

Title: Re: Natural History of Cluster Headache
Post by MJ on Oct 29^th, 2007, 11:34pm

57% gave up on their doctors it seems.

Might be something to the lower coronary disease as back in the 70s and early 80s alot of CH focus was placed on dietary triggers and better eating, at least with the docs I used to see.
Immitrex wasnt yet available at the time of the study was it? (1982)

Title: Re: Natural History of Cluster Headache
Post by Ray on Oct 30^th, 2007, 1:14am

Imitrex became available in the US in 1993, but was in trials before that and available in Europe before the US.

Ray

Title: Re: Natural History of Cluster Headache
Post by kcopelin on Oct 30^th, 2007, 1:13pm

Mortality increased with age??!! That does it. I ain't gettin' older.

;;D

PFDAN y'all,
kathy