EAN 2021 | Can patients predict an upcoming cluster headache bout?

Rigmor Jensen, MD, University of Copenhagen, Glostrup, Denmark, discusses a study examining the predictability of an upcoming headache bout in patients with cluster headache. The retrospective analysis interviewed 100 patients with episodic cluster headache concerning their pre-cluster symptoms. Pre-cluster symptoms were reported by 86% of patients. 57% reported being able to predict an upcoming bout with a mean of 4.6 days prior to onset. Predicting an upcoming episode could enable early intervention, so the headache is shorter and less painful. Further studies looking at this topic prospectively could support these findings. This interview took place during the European Academy of Neurology 2021 congress.