The association of primary headaches with Multiple Sclerosis

Relationship between Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and primary headaches is not well recognized yet and the studies that have been done had different results. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between primary headaches and multiple sclerosis. In this historical cohort study, 117 patients with actual MS were selected by convenience sampling as case group and 351 healthy subjects as control group. The incidence of primary headaches was assessed by a physician using a questannaire. Variables under investigation were age, sex, type of MS, Expanded Disability Status Score (EDSS), and characteristics of headache based on International Headache Society (IHS) classification. Data analysis was done using Chi-square, t-test, Fisher exact test, and logistic regression. 53.8% of MS group and 27.4% of control group had chronic headaches (p=0.0001). Frequency of Migraine and tension type headaches among patients with headache in MS group were 73.1% and 26.98%, and in control group were 40.6% and 58.7% respectively. There was a statistically significant relation between Relapsing-Remitting MS and migraine headache (p<0.001).There was not any correlations between headache and using Interferone, MS duration, and EDSS. The results of this study indicate that primay headaches, especialy migraine without aura, are common in MS patients comparing to general population.