The prevalence of hypnic headache in Iceland

Jon H. Eliasson, Ann I. Scher, Dawn C. Buse, Gretchen Tietjen, Richard B. Lipton, Lenore J. Launer, Unnur A. Valdimarsdottir, Larus S. Gudmundsson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of hypnic headache. Background: The exact prevalence of hypnic headache is unknown since there are no published population-based prevalence studies. Methods: This study was a pilot for the SAGA cohort study, a population-based study on life stressors and various indices of health. Of 1398 invited adults, 921 (66%) participated; 402 men (average age 45.6 years, SD 13.2) and 519 women (52.6 years, SD 11.1). Subjects answered a headache questionnaire including a screening question for hypnic headache. “Do you have a headache that occurs only during sleep and causes wakening?”. Diagnosis of hypnic headache was made by clinical interview using ICHD-3 criteria. Results: Among 921 participants, six screened positive for hypnic headache, of those two 0.22% (95% CI 0.06–0.79%) had probable hypnic headache and none had definite hypnic headache. Conclusion: Confirming that hypnic headache is rare, these data suggest a 0.22% prevalence of probable hypnic headache.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)863-865
Number of pages3
JournalCephalalgia
Volume40
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2020

Bibliographical note

Funding The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: Study supported by: Icelandic Centre for Research (RANNIS), University of Iceland Research Fund and Migraine Research Foundation. Publisher Copyright: © International Headache Society 2020.

Other keywords

  • Epidemiology
  • cohort study
  • hypnic headache
  • prevalence
  • questionnaire

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