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Cluster headache and depression
Mark A Louter1, Leopoldine A Wilbrink1, Joost Haan1
1From the Departments of Neurology (M.A.L., L.A.W., J.H., W.P.J.v.O., M.D.F., G.M.T.), Psychiatry (M.A.L., F.G.Z.), and Biostatistics (E.W.v.Z.), Leiden University Medical Centre; Department of Neurosurgery (L.A.W.), Maastricht University Medical Centre; and Department of Neurology (J.H.), Alrijne Hospital, Leiderdorp, the Netherlands.
Neurology
|October 4, 2016
Summary
Cluster headache (CH) patients have nearly three times higher odds of lifetime depression. Current depression in active CH is linked to sleep disturbances from nocturnal attacks.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Cluster headache (CH), known as "suicide headache," has a significant impact on patient well-being.
- Depression is a serious comorbidity that warrants investigation in CH populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of depression in cluster headache patients.
- To explore the relationship between depression, sleep disturbances, and CH characteristics.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional, web-based study involving 462 CH patients and 177 controls.
- Diagnosis of CH followed International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (ICHD-III) criteria.
- Depression was assessed using validated scales (HADS-D, CES-D) and lifetime depression questionnaires.
Main Results:
- CH patients exhibited nearly 3 times higher odds of lifetime depression compared to controls (OR 2.77).
- Chronic CH patients reported higher rates of lifetime depression and sleep problems than episodic CH patients.
- Current depression was associated with active CH attacks but this link diminished after accounting for sleep disturbances.
Conclusions:
- Cluster headache is strongly associated with an increased risk of lifetime depression.
- Active cluster headache, particularly with nocturnal attacks, is linked to high current depression rates, partly due to associated sleep disturbances.
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