Yonsei Med J.  2010 Mar;51(2):219-224. 10.3349/ymj.2010.51.2.219.

Multi-Center Study on Migraine and Seizure-Related Headache in Patients with Epilepsy

• HELP (Headache in Epileptic Patients) Study Group

• KMID: 1126021
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2010.51.2.219

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study is to investigate the frequency and characteristics of migraine and seizure-related headache (SRH) according to the criteria of the International Headache Society.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A questionnaire was undertaken at the initial evaluation of newly referred patients from 32 epilepsy clinics.
RESULTS
Of a total of 597 patients, 74 (12.4%) patients had migraine. Age at the onset of epilepsy was lower in patients with migraine than in those without. Twenty-six (4.4%), nine (1.5%), and 146 (24.5%) patients experienced prodromal, ictal, and postictal SRH, respectively (n = 169, 28.3%). A pain intensity of prodromal and postictal SRH was 6.1 +/- 1.5 (SD) and 6.3 +/- 1.9 (SD) on the visual analogue scale, and their duration was 12.6 +/- 26.7 (SD) hours and 9.0 +/- 17.4 (SD) hours, respectively. Age at the onset of epilepsy was lower in patients with SRH than in those without, and the risk of occurrence of SRH was significantly greater in patients with longer epilepsy duration. SRH could be classified as a type of migraine in 46.2% of patients with prodromal SRH and in 36.3% of patients with postictal SRH. Prodromal SRH occurred more frequently and was more likely to be a migraine-type in patients with migraine compared with those without. Postictal SRH occurred more frequently and was more likely to be a migraine-type in patients with migraine.
CONCLUSION
This study suggests that SRH is a frequent accompanying symptom of epileptic seizures causing major impairment in daily life, and migraine is an important comorbidity of epilepsy, affecting the incidence and characteristics of SRH.

Keyword

Epilepsy; migraine; seizure-related headache

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Epilepsy/*physiopathology
Female
Headache/*physiopathology
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Migraine Disorders/*physiopathology
Multicenter Studies as Topic
Seizures/*physiopathology
Young Adult

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