Posted by Bob Johnson (64.92.91.17) on August 11, 2001 at 15:24:26:
Title: Potential Predictive Factors For Chronic Cluster Headache Identified
Headache 2000; 40: 798-808. "Possible Predictive Factors in the Evolution of Episodic to Chronic Cluster Headache"
02/14/2001
By James Adams
"Predictive factors for the change from episodic to chronic cluster headache may include onset of cluster headache after the age of 30 years, more than one cluster period per year and shorter periods of remission, according to investigators.
Twenty-eight patients who had developed chronic cluster headache from episodic cluster headache and 258 episodic cluster headache patients were selected from referrals to the Headache Center of the University of Parma in Parma, Italy.
Investigators found that chronic patients were older at the time of cluster headache onset compared with episodic patients.
Also, those patients who developed the chronic form had a higher frequency of cluster periods, more attacks not strictly within cluster periods and periods of remission lasting less than six months.
Chronic cluster headache patients also tended to be heavy smokers, drinkers or to have experienced a head injury.
The role played by these factors in the development of the chronic form of cluster headache is uncertain, according to the investigators."