Cluster headache sufferers are more likely to have other ailments: Study

People who suffer from cluster headaches may be three times more likely to develop heart problems, mental health issues, or other neurologic conditions. According to a research published in the online edition of Neurology®, the official medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, on December 14, 2022. Cluster headaches are brief but very severe headaches that can last for many days or even weeks. The duration of the headaches might range from 15 minutes to three hours.

“Around the world, headaches have an incredibly negative impact on people’s quality of life, both economically and socially,” said study author Caroline Ran, PhD, of the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden. “Our results show that people with cluster headaches not only have an increased risk of other illnesses, those with at least one additional illness missed four times as many days of work due to sickness and disability than those with just cluster headaches. They also have a higher chance of a long-term absence from work.”

In Sweden, 3,240 cluster headache sufferers aged 16 to 64 were compared to 16,200 others of a comparable age, sex, and other characteristics. The majority of patients had cluster headaches, which is typical. To assess how many days per year people missed from work owing to illness or disability, researchers examined labour records and disability payouts.

2,977 patients, or 92 percent of those with cluster headaches, also had at least one other condition. 12,575 patients, or 78% of those without cluster headaches, had two or more diseases. Women were more likely than males (96% versus 90%) to have other diseases among individuals with cluster headaches.

Persons with cluster headaches missed work an average of 63 days more frequently than people without cluster headaches, who missed an average of 34 days owing to illness and incapacity. In comparison to those with cluster headaches who did not have an additional illness, those with cluster headaches plus at least one other sickness missed four times as many days of work.

“Increasing our understanding of the other conditions that affect people with cluster headache and how they impact their ability to work is very important,” added Ran. “This information can help us as we make decisions on treatments, prevention and prognoses.”