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Interictal pain in primary headache syndromes
Michael J Marmura1, William B Young
1Jefferson Headache Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. Michael.Marmura@jefferson.edu
Current Pain and Headache Reports
|January 18, 2012
Summary
Many primary headache disorders, including chronic migraine and cluster headache, frequently involve milder pain between attacks. This review examines the prevalence and biological significance of this interictal pain.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pain Medicine
- Headache Research
Background:
- Primary headache disorders are defined by attack characteristics but often include interictal pain.
- Constant pain is common in chronic migraine, chronic tension-type headache, hemicrania continua, and new daily-persistent headache.
- Interictal pain, though milder and often unilateral, is also observed in trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias like cluster headache and rarer types such as hypnic headache and trigeminal neuralgia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the incidence of interictal pain across various primary headache disorders.
- To explore the potential significance and biological underpinnings of interictal pain.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of primary headache disorders.
- Analysis of reported interictal pain prevalence and characteristics.
Main Results:
- Interictal pain is a common feature across a spectrum of primary headache disorders, not limited to episodic conditions.
- The intensity and laterality of interictal pain vary depending on the specific headache diagnosis.
- Even rare headache conditions frequently exhibit interictal pain.
Conclusions:
- Interictal pain is a prevalent and significant component of many primary headache disorders.
- Understanding interictal pain is crucial for a comprehensive approach to headache management and research.
- Further investigation into the biological mechanisms of interictal pain is warranted.
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