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Prevalence of cervicogenic headache: Vågå study of headache epidemiology

PainSci » bibliography » Sjaastad et al 2008
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Tags: diagnosis, chronic pain, pain problems

One article on PainSci cites Sjaastad 2008: The Complete Guide to Neck Pain & Cricks

original abstract Abstracts here may not perfectly match originals, for a variety of technical and practical reasons. Some abstacts are truncated for my purposes here, if they are particularly long-winded and unhelpful. I occasionally add clarifying notes. And I make some minor corrections.

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.

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