Cluster Headache and Associated Risk Factors: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Epidemiology
• Genetics

Background:

• Cluster headache (CH) is a debilitating neurological disorder.
• Several risk factors, including hereditary, environmental, and lifestyle habits, are associated with CH.
• Understanding these risk factors is crucial for effective management and prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and evaluate the risk factors associated with cluster headaches.
• To investigate the evidence linking family history, smoking, alcohol consumption, male predominance, and head trauma to CH.
• To analyze existing literature for patterns in familial CH cases.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, CINAHL, and Google Scholar.
• Thirty-two studies were selected for a systematic review.
• Twenty-six studies, involving 6,065 CH patients, were included in a meta-analysis using MedCalc and Rapidminer software.

Main Results:

• Significant associations were found between cluster headaches and family history, smoking, alcohol consumption, male predominance, and head trauma.
• The meta-analysis confirmed these risk factors' contribution to CH.
• Familial history studies indicated a female predominance, contrasting with the general male predominance in CH.

Conclusions:

• Family history, smoking, alcohol, male sex, and head trauma are confirmed risk factors for cluster headaches.
• The observed female predominance in familial CH cases suggests potential sex-specific genetic or environmental influences.
• Further research is needed to address sex discrimination in the understanding of familial cluster headaches.