Treatment pattern and response of cluster headache in Korea

Abstract

Background and objective: No data regarding treatment status and response of cluster headache have been reported from Asian population. Methods: In this multicenter study, patients with cluster headache were recruited between September 2016 and January 2019 from 16 hospitals in Korea. At baseline visit, we surveyed the patients about previous experience of CH treatment, and acute and/or preventive treatments were prescribed by the physician"s discretion. Treatment response was prospectively evaluated using a structured case report form. Results: Among 295 patients recruited, 262 within the active bout was included in this analysis. An experience of disease-specific treatments was reported by only one third of patients. At the baseline visit, oral triptans (73.4%), verapamil, (68.3%), and systemic steroids (55.6%) were the top three most common treatments prescribed by the investigators. For the acute treatment, oral triptans and oxygen were effective in 90.1% and 86.8%, respectively. For the preventive treatment, verapamil, lithium, systemic steroids, and suboccipital steroid injection were effective in 85.5%, 75.0%, 91.8%, and 80.6%, respectively. Conclusions: Our data provide the first prospective analysis of treatment response in Asian population. Patients well responded to treatments despite of a limited availability of treatment options. Most patients were undertreated previously, suggesting a need of raising awareness of CH among primary physicians.