Remission of chronic headache: An 11-year follow-up study. Data from the Nord-Trøndelag Health Surveys 1995–1997 and 2006–2008

Abstract

Objectives To estimate remission rates of chronic headache and predictors of remission. Methods In this longitudinal population-based cohort study, we used validated headache questionnaire data from the second (1995–1997, baseline; n = 51,856 aged ≥ 20 years, response rate: 55%) and third wave (2006–2008, follow-up, response rate: 42%) of the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study. Chronic headache was defined as ≥15 headache days/month during the last year. Chronic headache remission was defined as headache less than 15 days/month at follow-up. Potential predictors of remission were evaluated using logistic regression. Results At baseline, 1266 (2.4%) participants reported chronic headache. Of these, 605 (48%) answered headache questions at follow-up. Remission was observed in 452 (74.7%), the proportion being almost identical in men and women (74.4% vs. 74.9, p = 0.92). In analyses adjusting for age, gender and education level, remission at follow-up was more than two times more likely among individuals without medication overuse headache (OR = 2.4, 95% CI 1.7–3.6) and without chronic musculoskeletal complaints (OR = 2.9, 95% CI 1.5–5.0) at baseline. Conclusions In this longitudinal population-based cohort study, three-quarters of chronic headache participants remitted from chronic headache. Remission was associated with no medication overuse headache and no chronic musculoskeletal complaints at baseline.