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Background@#and Purpose Oxygen treatment is the first-line acute treatment for cluster headaches (CHs), but this can be impeded by insurance coverage and oxygen-tank maintenance. Oxygen concentrators filter nitrogen from ambient air to produce oxygen-rich gas, and can therefore be an alternative to conventional oxygen therapy using a tank. We investigated the effectiveness and safety of using two home oxygen concentrators and compared them with using oral zolmitriptan for the acute treatment of CHs. @*Methods@#Forty patients with episodic CHs in an active cluster period were enrolled in this randomized, crossover, multicenter study. Two attacks during the cluster period were treated using oxygen delivered by connecting two home oxygen concentrators, whereas the other two attacks were treated using oral zolmitriptan (5 mg) in a random sequence. The primary endpoint was substantial pain reduction (0 or 1 on a five-point rating scale from 0 to 4 points) at 15 min after treatment. @*Results@#In total, 125 attacks among 32 patients were randomized and treated (63 attacks using oxygen and 62 using zolmitriptan) according to the study protocol. More attacks treated using oxygen reached the primary endpoint than did those treated using zolmitriptan (31.7% [20/63] vs. 12.9% [8/62], p=0.013). After 30 min, 57.1% of the patients who received oxygen and 38.7% who received zolmitriptan reported pain relief (p=0.082). All patients treated using oxygen reported an improvement in pain, and 61.3% preferred oxygen while only 9.7% preferred zolmitriptan. No adverse events occurred during the oxygen treatment. @*Conclusions@#Oxygen treatment administered using two home oxygen concentrators resulted in better pain relief than oral zolmitriptan in patients with episodic CHs. Our results suggest that home oxygen concentrators are capable of efficiently supplying oxygen in a similar manner to using an oxygen tank.
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Background@#and Purpose Patients with cluster headache (CH) exhibit impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, there have been few studies related to the HRQoL of patients with CH from Asian backgrounds. This study aimed to determine the impact of CH on HRQoL and to identify the factors affecting HRQoL in patients with CH during cluster periods. @*Methods@#This prospective study enrolled patients with CH from 17 headache clinics in South Korea between September 2016 and February 2021. The study aimed to determine HRQoL in patients with CH using the EuroQol 5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) index and the time trade-off (TTO) method. Age- and sex-matched headache-free participants were recruited as a control group. @*Results@#The study included 423 patients with CH who experienced a cluster period at the time. EQ-5D scores were lower in patients with CH (0.88±0.43, mean±standard deviation) than in the controls (0.99±0.33, p<0.001). The TTO method indicated that 58 (13.6%) patients with CH exhibited moderate-to-severe HRQoL deterioration. The HRQoL states in patients with CH were associated with current smoking patterns, headache severity, frequency, and duration, and scores on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item scale (PHQ-9), 6-item Headache Impact Test, and 12-item Allodynia Symptom Checklist. Multivariable logistic regression analyses demonstrated that the HRQoL states in patients with CH were negatively correlated with the daily frequency of headaches, cluster period duration, and GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores. @*Conclusions@#Patients with CH experienced a worse quality of life during cluster periods compared with the headache-free controls, but the degree of HRQoL deterioration varied among them. The daily frequency of headaches, cluster period duration, anxiety, and depression were factors associated with HRQoL deterioration severity in patients with CH.
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Isolated unilateral hypoglossal nerve palsy (IUHNP) is rare because of its complex course and close adjacent structures. Prostate cancer is a very rare cause of hypoglossal nerve palsy and reported scarcely. We herein report the first case of metastatic prostate cancer presented with IUHNP in Korea, which shows good clinico-radiological correlation.
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Background@#and Purpose The estimated prevalence of migraines in South Korea is 6.0%, with affected patients having unmet needs. The efficacy, safety, and tolerability of galcanezumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody, for episodic migraine (EM) prevention was evaluated in South Korean patients. @*Methods@#During the double-blind period of the EVOLVE-2 phase 3 trial, patients with EM were randomized into placebo, 120 mg-galcanezumab, and 240-mg galcanezumab treatment groups. The primary endpoint was the overall mean change from baseline in the number of monthly migraine headache days during the 6-month double-blind period. We conducted a post-hoc analysis of the South Korean cohort in EVOLVE-2. @*Results@#Among 98 South Korean patients in the intent-to-treat population, significant changes from baseline were observed in the number of monthly migraine headache days in the 240-mg galcanezumab group compared with the placebo group (-2.64, p=0.013), in the percentage of patients with ≥50% reduction in the number of monthly migraine headache days (120 mg: odds ratio=2.43, p=0.030; 240 mg: odds ratio=2.60, p=0.019), in the number of monthly migraine headache days with acute medication use (120 mg: -2.22, p=0.006; 240 mg: -2.23, p=0.005), and in the Migraine-Specific Quality-of-Life Role Function-Restrictive (120 mg: 8.34, p=0.040). Numerical improvements from baseline were observed relative to the placebo group in at least one galcanezumab group for: the percentage of patients with ≥75% reduction in the number of monthly migraine headache days functional impairment, and disease severity. The most common treatment-emergent adverse event in the combined galcanezumab group was injection site reaction, which led to treatment discontinuation for one patient. @*Conclusions@#Galcanezumab treatment demonstrated efficacy and a favorable safety and tolerability profile in South Korean patients with EM.
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Background@#and Purpose Several studies have found that the prevalence of migraine is higher among healthcare professionals than in the general population. Furthermore, several investigations have suggested that the personal experiences of neurologists with migraine can influence their perception and treatment of the disease. This study assessed these relationships in Korea. @*Methods@#A survey was used to investigate the following characteristics among neurologists:1) the prevalence rates of migraine, primary stabbing headache, and cluster headache, and 2) their perceptions of migraine and the pain severity experienced by patients, diagnosing migraine, evaluation and treatment patterns, and satisfaction and difficulties with treatment. @*Results@#The survey was completed by 442 actively practicing board-certified Korean neurologists. The self-reported lifetime prevalence rates of migraine, migraine with aura, primary stabbing headache, and cluster headache were 49.8%, 12.7%, 26.7%, and 1.4%, respectively. Few of the neurologists used a headache diary or validated scales with their patients, and approximately half were satisfied with the effectiveness of preventive medications. Significant differences were observed between neurologists who had and had not experienced migraine, regarding certain perceptions of migraine, but no differences were found between these groups in the evaluation and preventive treatment of migraine. @*Conclusions@#The high self-reported lifetime prevalence rates of migraine and other primary headache disorders among Korean neurologists may indicate that these rates are underreported in the general population, although potential population biases must be considered. From the perspective of neurologists, there is an unmet need for the proper application of headache diaries, validated scales, and effective preventive treatments for patients. While the past experiences of neurologists with migraine might not influence how they evaluate or apply preventive treatments to migraine, they may influence certain perceptions of the disease.
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Background@#Statin-induced myalgia is a common cause of discontinuation and a barrier that interferes with long-term treatment. The incidence of myalgia reported by previous atorvastatin trials in Korea ranged from 0.8% to 3.4%. This study assessed the incidence of myalgia after atorvastatin was administered to Korean patients with dyslipidemia. In addition, the Statin Myalgia Clinical Index (SMCI) was used to assess the likelihood that a patient’s myalgia was caused by atorvastatin. @*Methods@#Dyslipidemic patients were eligible to participate if they were statin-naïve or treated with statins other than atorvastatin. Muscle complaints were assessed at the baseline, the 10-weeks visit and the final follow-up visit (16 weeks or later). The SMCI score was calculated if a patient developed myalgia, which was rated as probable, possible or unlikely related to the statin. @*Results@#A total of 89 patients were analyzed. The atorvastatin doses ranged from 10 to 80 mg. Six (7%) patients reported new and unexplained muscle pain. Information on the timing of myalgia relative to stopping was unavailable in two patients. After excluding these two patients, three (3.4%) out of 87 patients were classified by the SMCI as having possible or probable atorvastatin-associated myalgia. @*Conclusions@#In this study, the incidence of myalgia was higher than the incidences reported by the previous trials in Korea. However, the incidence of statin-associated myalgia assessed using SMCI was comparable to those of the trials. The SMCI may help diagnosis of statin-associated myalgia in clinical practice and optimize treatment for patients with myalgia.
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Background@#and Purpose Epidemiologic data suggest that cluster headache (CH) is significantly associated with cigarette smoking. The aim of this study was to determine differences in features between patients with a smoking history and those who are never-smokers, using data from a prospective multicenter registry. @*Methods@#Data used in this study were obtained from the Korean Cluster Headache Registry that collected data from consecutive patients diagnosed with CH. We compared clinical and demographic features between ever-smokers (current or former smokers) and never-smokers. @*Results@#This study enrolled 250 patients who were diagnosed with CH, of which 152 (60.8%) were ever-smokers and 98 (39.2%) were never-smokers. The age at CH onset was significantly lower in the never-smoker group than in the ever-smoker group [27.1±12.9 years vs. 30.6± 10.9 years (mean±standard deviation), p=0.024]. Seasonal rhythmicity (58.1% vs. 44.7%, p= 0.038) and triptan responsiveness (100% vs. 85.1%, p=0.001) were higher in never-smokers, while other clinical features such as pain severity, duration, attack frequency, and associated autonomic symptoms did not differ significantly between the groups. The male-to-female ratio was markedly higher in ever-smokers (29.4:1) than in never-smokers (1.7:1). @*Conclusions@#Most of the clinical features did not differ significantly between patients with a smoking history and never-smokers. However, the age at CH onset, sex ratio, and seasonal rhythmicity were significantly associated with smoking history.
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Background@#and PurposeHeadache disorders are a leading cause of disability globally. However, there is inadequate information available about these disorders and the related economic loss in the workplace in Asian countries. Information technology (IT) jobs are intellectually and cognitively challenging, and hence IT workers are a suitable population for assessing headache disorders and related economic loss. @*Methods@#We sent invitation emails to all employees of selected IT companies. A comprehensive Web-based questionnaire regarding headache characteristics, disability, quality of life, and economic loss was completed by 522 participants from 8 companies. @*Results@#The participants included 450 (86.2%) who had experienced headache more than once during the previous year. The frequencies of migraine, probable migraine (PM), and tension-type headache (TTH) were 18.2%, 21.1%, and 37.0%, respectively. The Migraine Disability Assessment score was higher for participants with migraine [median and interquartile range, 3.0 (0.0–6.0)] than for those with PM [0.0 (0.0–2.0), p<0.001] and TTH [0.0 (0.0–1.0), p<0.001]. The estimated annual economic losses caused by migraine per person associated with absenteeism and presenteeism were USD 197.5±686.1 and USD 837.7±22.04 (mean±standard deviation), respectively. The total annual economic loss per person caused by migraine (USD 1,023.3±1,972.7) was higher than those caused by PM (USD 424.8±1,209.1, p<0.001) and TTH (USD 197.6±636.4, p<0.001). @*Conclusions@#Migraine, PM, and TTH were found to be prevalent among IT workers in Korea. Disability and economic loss were significantly greater in participants with migraine than in those with PM or TTH
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Background@#and Purpose Epidemiologic data suggest that cluster headache (CH) is significantly associated with cigarette smoking. The aim of this study was to determine differences in features between patients with a smoking history and those who are never-smokers, using data from a prospective multicenter registry. @*Methods@#Data used in this study were obtained from the Korean Cluster Headache Registry that collected data from consecutive patients diagnosed with CH. We compared clinical and demographic features between ever-smokers (current or former smokers) and never-smokers. @*Results@#This study enrolled 250 patients who were diagnosed with CH, of which 152 (60.8%) were ever-smokers and 98 (39.2%) were never-smokers. The age at CH onset was significantly lower in the never-smoker group than in the ever-smoker group [27.1±12.9 years vs. 30.6± 10.9 years (mean±standard deviation), p=0.024]. Seasonal rhythmicity (58.1% vs. 44.7%, p= 0.038) and triptan responsiveness (100% vs. 85.1%, p=0.001) were higher in never-smokers, while other clinical features such as pain severity, duration, attack frequency, and associated autonomic symptoms did not differ significantly between the groups. The male-to-female ratio was markedly higher in ever-smokers (29.4:1) than in never-smokers (1.7:1). @*Conclusions@#Most of the clinical features did not differ significantly between patients with a smoking history and never-smokers. However, the age at CH onset, sex ratio, and seasonal rhythmicity were significantly associated with smoking history.
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Background@#and PurposeHeadache disorders are a leading cause of disability globally. However, there is inadequate information available about these disorders and the related economic loss in the workplace in Asian countries. Information technology (IT) jobs are intellectually and cognitively challenging, and hence IT workers are a suitable population for assessing headache disorders and related economic loss. @*Methods@#We sent invitation emails to all employees of selected IT companies. A comprehensive Web-based questionnaire regarding headache characteristics, disability, quality of life, and economic loss was completed by 522 participants from 8 companies. @*Results@#The participants included 450 (86.2%) who had experienced headache more than once during the previous year. The frequencies of migraine, probable migraine (PM), and tension-type headache (TTH) were 18.2%, 21.1%, and 37.0%, respectively. The Migraine Disability Assessment score was higher for participants with migraine [median and interquartile range, 3.0 (0.0–6.0)] than for those with PM [0.0 (0.0–2.0), p<0.001] and TTH [0.0 (0.0–1.0), p<0.001]. The estimated annual economic losses caused by migraine per person associated with absenteeism and presenteeism were USD 197.5±686.1 and USD 837.7±22.04 (mean±standard deviation), respectively. The total annual economic loss per person caused by migraine (USD 1,023.3±1,972.7) was higher than those caused by PM (USD 424.8±1,209.1, p<0.001) and TTH (USD 197.6±636.4, p<0.001). @*Conclusions@#Migraine, PM, and TTH were found to be prevalent among IT workers in Korea. Disability and economic loss were significantly greater in participants with migraine than in those with PM or TTH
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Background@#and Purpose Nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) is challenging to diagnose. This study aimed to describe and classify the clinical features and electroencephalography (EEG) findings of patients with de novo NCSE and to correlate them with clinical outcomes. @*Methods@#We retrospectively reviewed the medical and EEG records of patients admitted to our institution with altered mentation and EEG abnormalities from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2018. We evaluated premorbid modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores, underlying disorders, precipitating factors, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, and outcomes after a 3-month follow-up. Patients who met the Salzburg Consensus Criteria for NCSE were categorized into good-outcome and poor-outcome groups. A good outcome was defined as 1) clinical and electrographic seizures ceasing after treatment, and 2) an mRS score of ≤2 or remaining unchanged during the 3-month follow-up. A poor outcome was defined as 1) death, 2) seizures continuing despite treatment, or 3) a follow-up mRS score of ≥3 in a patient with a premorbid mRS score of ≤2, or a follow-up mRS score that increased in a patient with a premorbid mRS score of ≥3. @*Results@#The 48 included patients comprised 37 categorized into the good-outcome group and 11 into the poor-outcome group. The presence of acute metabolic disturbances was significantly correlated with poor outcome (p=0.036), while the other analyzed variables were not significantly correlated with outcomes. @*Conclusions@#Acute metabolic disturbances in NCSE are associated with poor outcomes. Adequate treatment of underlying reversible disorders alongside controlling seizures is critical for patients with NCSE.
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Background@#and PurposeDeciding whether or not to perform neuroimaging in primary headache is a dilemma for headache physicians. The aim of this study was to identify clinical predictors of incidental neuroimaging abnormalities in new patients with primary headache disorders. @*Methods@#This cross-sectional study was based on a prospective multicenter headache registry, and it classified 1,627 consecutive first-visit headache patients according to the third edition (beta version) of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3β). Primary headache patients who underwent neuroimaging were finally enrolled in the analysis. Serious intracranial pathology was defined as serious neuroimaging abnormalities with a high degree of medical urgency. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with incidental neuroimaging abnormalities. @*Results@#Neuroimaging abnormalities were present in 170 (18.3%) of 927 eligible patients. In multivariable analysis, age ≥40 years [multivariable-adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=3.37, 95% CI=2.07–6.83], male sex (aOR=1.61, 95% CI=1.12–2.32), and age ≥50 years at headache onset (aOR=1.86, 95% CI=1.24–2.78) were associated with neuroimaging abnormalities. In univariable analyses, age ≥40 years was the only independent variable associated with serious neuroimaging abnormalities (OR=3.37, 95% CI=1.17–9.66), which were found in 34 patients (3.6%). These associations did not change after further adjustment for neuroimaging modality. @*Conclusions@#Incidental neuroimaging abnormalities were common and varied in a primary headache diagnosis. A small proportion of the patients incidentally had serious neuroimaging abnormalities, and they were predicted by age ≥40 years. These findings can be used to guide the performing of neuroimaging in primary headache disorders.
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Background@#The median-to-ulnar comparison test (MUCT), and increasingly, ultrasonography (US) are considered as complementary to and more sensitive than median nerve conduction study (NCS) in diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). @*Methods@#In consecutive patients with hand paresthesia compatible with CTS but with normal median NCS, we additionally performed the MUCT and analyzed whether it yielded better diagnostic sensitivity. @*Results@#In total, 163 hands of clinically diagnosed CTS patients were examined with routine NCS. The MUCT and US were performed in 81 hands and 31 hands, respectively. While median NCS was diagnostic in 85 (52.1%) hands, MUCT failed to demonstrate superior sensitivity over median NCS in the other hands and US revealed related abnormalities better than both routine NCS (p=0.006) and MUCT (p=0.002). @*Conclusions@#The MUCT offered no additional diagnostic benefit. On the other hand, sonographic examination had higher sensitivity for the diagnosis of CTS when applying several diagnostic criteria. Thus, US could be the screening test for diagnosing CTS prior to NCS with higher sensitivity than MUCT. However, further studies are needed to define the appropriate diagnostic criteria for US.
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Experts have communicated and developed field of study through scientific terminology. However, medical terminologies are no longer used only by experts. As technology advances and society becomes more complex, the public encounter medical terminology more often. Therefore, medical experts need to revise the medical terms in simple and easy way to facilitate communication with the public. Korean Neurological Association has been make an efforts to manage the Korean terminologies in field of neurology. In this paper, we summarized principles of the use in Korean neurological terminologies, and frequently misused terms.
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Metabolic encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome is characterized by encephalopathy mimicking acute stroke, which is rarely observed in adulthood. We present a case of a female who presented with several neurologic deficits and diagnosed with MELAS syndrome. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed acute lesions mimicking stroke, which were not compatible with specific vascular territories. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy showed lactate peaks in both symptomatic and asymptomatic area. Single proton emission computed tomography (SPECT) shows hyperperfusion in the same area. On follow-up image, MRI lesion nearly disappeared and hyperperfusion on SPECT changed into hypoperfusion. We discuss the clinical characteristics and image findings of our patient.
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Cluster headache attacks can be successfully treated with oxygen. We report four patients with episodic cluster headache were treated with oxygen therapy from one or two oxygen concentrators. Oxygen therapy with two oxygen concentrators seems to be effective in reduction or cessation of pain of cluster headaches. Patients expressed excellent satisfaction to oxygen therapy with two oxygen concentrators. Oxygen concentrators can be considered as an effective and safe alternative of oxygen cylinder for patients with cluster headache.
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Globally, migraine is the third most common disease affecting 1.3 billion people worldwide and the second leading cause of disability. With the recent advances in new drugs and device technology for the treatment of migraine, the Korean Headache Society (KHS) and American Headache Society (AHS) released a new practice guideline on the treatment of migraine in 2019, respectively. They developed their consensus statement after reviewing existing guidelines and recent clinical trials and having discussions with stakeholders. The KHS guideline addresses best practice for preventing migraine with oral treatments including start and stopping strategies. The AHS statement dealt with newer treatments, such as onabotulinumtoxinA, and the recently approved calcitonin gene-related peptide targeting agents, and nonpharmacological treatments such as neuromodulation and biobehavioral therapy for both preventive and acute treatment. In this paper, we will review and summarize updated guideline for migraine treatment.
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Development of medications targeting the trigeminal sensory neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) or its receptor has ushered in the new era for the treatment of migraine. Some of these drugs are approved by the USA Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency since 2018, and others are in the process of approval. Since the CGRP-related therapies act directly on the migraine pathophysiology, they have advantages over conventional treatments not only in effect but also in terms of adverse effects. CGRP receptor antagonist have an effect on both acute and preventive treatment of migraine, while monoclonal antibodies for CGRP ligand (fremanezumab, galcanezumab, and eptinezumab) or receptor (erenumab) reduce migraine frequency and related disability. Galcanezumab was approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in Korea in September 2019. As of December 2019, it is available for use in adult patients with migraine. We describe the pathophysiology of CGRP in migraine, summarize the results of recent CGRP antagonism related clinical trials, and provide opinions about the use of CGRP-related therapies in clinical practice.
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Background@#The median-to-ulnar comparison test (MUCT), and increasingly, ultrasonography (US) are considered as complementary to and more sensitive than median nerve conduction study (NCS) in diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). @*Methods@#In consecutive patients with hand paresthesia compatible with CTS but with normal median NCS, we additionally performed the MUCT and analyzed whether it yielded better diagnostic sensitivity. @*Results@#In total, 163 hands of clinically diagnosed CTS patients were examined with routine NCS. The MUCT and US were performed in 81 hands and 31 hands, respectively. While median NCS was diagnostic in 85 (52.1%) hands, MUCT failed to demonstrate superior sensitivity over median NCS in the other hands and US revealed related abnormalities better than both routine NCS (p=0.006) and MUCT (p=0.002). @*Conclusions@#The MUCT offered no additional diagnostic benefit. On the other hand, sonographic examination had higher sensitivity for the diagnosis of CTS when applying several diagnostic criteria. Thus, US could be the screening test for diagnosing CTS prior to NCS with higher sensitivity than MUCT. However, further studies are needed to define the appropriate diagnostic criteria for US.
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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cluster headache (CH) is frequently either not diagnosed or the diagnosis is delayed. We addressed this issue by developing the self-administered Cluster Headache Screening Questionnaire (CHSQ). METHODS: Experts selected items from the diagnostic criteria of CH and the characteristics of migraine. The questionnaire was administered to first-visit headache patients at nine headache clinics. The finally developed CHSQ included items based on the differences in responses between CH and non-CH patients, and the accuracy and reliability of the scoring model were assessed. RESULTS: Forty-two patients with CH, 207 migraineurs, 73 with tension-type headache, and 18 with primary stabbing headache were enrolled. The CHSQ item were scored as follows: 3 points for ipsilateral eye symptoms, agitation, and duration; 2 points for clustering patterns; and 1 point for the male sex, unilateral pain, disability, ipsilateral nasal symptoms, and frequency. The total score of the CHSQ ranged from 0 to 16. The mean score was higher in patients with CH than in non-CH patients (12.9 vs. 3.4, p 8 points, the CHSQ had a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 95.2%, 96%, 76.9%, and 99.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The CHSQ is a reliable screening tool for the rapid identification of CH.