Prevalence of Interictal Headache in Patients with Epilepsy

Abstract

Objectives:Epilepsy and headache are common paroxysmal neurological disorders. Headache can occasionally be the sole symptom of a seizure. In addition, postictal headaches frequently occur after complex partial and generalized tonic–clonic seizures. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of interictal headache in patients with epilepsy presenting at an outpatient epilepsy clinic.Methods:This prospective study included 86 adult patients who were diagnosed with epilepsy and followed up at a neurology clinic.Results:A total of 86 patients with epilepsy (54 females, 32 males) were included. The type of headache in 41 (47.6%) patients was a tensiontype headache (TTH) (n=14, 16.3%), migraine with aura (n=12, 13.9%), migraine without aura (n=11, 12.8%), TTH + stabbing headache (n=1, 1.2%), cluster headache (1.2%), and other primary headaches (n=2, 2.4%).Conclusion:Patients with epilepsy often have headaches, particularly a migraine headache. Headache in patients with epilepsy may be overlooked during follow-up in the outpatient clinic setting, and this can adversely affect the quality of life of these patients.

Keywords

• epilepsy
• headache
• migraine