Selective vs. complete family interview for detecting those affected by familial cluster headache

This study validates the method of interviewing only the first-degree relatives indicated by the proband as possible cluster headache sufferers. We interviewed essentially all the first-degree relatives (93%) of 87 probands with cluster headache. We found only one new first-degree relative with cluster headache (1/40 = 2.5%). The selective interview may be used with confidence as a means of investigating the hereditary component of cluster headache.