Headache in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A matched case-control study

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rheumatology
• Immunology

Background:

• Headache is a frequent symptom in patients diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
• The precise impact of SLE on headache characteristics remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and contrast the prevalence and features of headaches in individuals with SLE compared to those without the disease.
• To determine any correlation between headache occurrence and the activity level of SLE.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study design was employed, comparing 114 SLE patients with 114 age- and sex-matched controls.
• Neurological assessments, semi-structured questionnaires, the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were utilized.
• Disease activity was evaluated using the Physician Global Assessment (PGA) and the modified Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (mSLEDAI-2K) scale.

Main Results:

• Patients with SLE reported more moderate to severe headache attacks compared to controls (OR 2.45).
• No significant differences were observed in headache prevalence, type, frequency, intensity, or impact between active SLE patients and those without disease activity.
• SLE disease activity (mSLEDAI-2K) did not show a statistically significant association with headache impact or monthly frequency.

Conclusions:

• Headache is common in SLE, but its prevalence is similar to that in non-SLE individuals.
• While SLE patients experience more intense headaches, headache characteristics are not associated with SLE disease activity.