Prevalence of cervicogenic headache: Vågå study of headache epidemiology

Sjaastad O, Bakketeig LS. Prevalence of cervicogenic headache: Vågå study of headache epidemiology.

Acta Neurol Scand: DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.2007.00962.x.

© 2007 The Authors Journal compilation © 2007 Blackwell Munksgaard. Objectives – 

To describe the prevalence and various clinical characteristics of cervicogenic headache (CEH) in the population at large. Methods – 

CEH was searched for in Vågå, Norway, where 1838 18 to 65-year-old citizens, i.e. 88.6% of this age group, underwent an interview/clinical examination. The Cervicogenic Headache International Study Group criteria include: (I) unilaterality of head pain, (II) reduction, range of movement, neck, (III/IV) ipsilateral shoulder/arm discomfort, (V/VI) mechanical provocation of similar pain, objectively or subjectively. Results – 

A prevalence of 4.1% was found. In 41 cases with the highest number of CEH criteria (‘core’ cases), there was a male preponderance (F/M: 0.71). While cervicogenic traits (mechanical precipitation etc.) were frequently present in CEH, ‘migraine traits’, like nausea, vomiting, and throbbing seemed to be rarely present. In 97% of the cases, pain exacerbations began in the neck/occipital region. Conclusions – 

CEH may be one of the three large, recurrent headaches. In this series, there was no female preponderance. Nuchal onset of pain is a characteristic trait.