Predictors of outcome of the treatment programme in a multidisciplinary headache centre

Introduction: Despite the high prevalence of headaches, multidisciplinary headache clinics are few and their efficacy still needs validation. The objective was to characterise patients and treatment results in a tertiary headache centre.

Subjects and methods: A systematic review of all referred patients in the Danish Headache Centre in a 2-year period. Outcome results were analysed with respect to diagnoses and sociodemographics.

Results: A total of 1326 patients with a mean age of 43.7 years and male: female ratio of 3: 7 were included. In total, frequency and absence rate from work were reduced from 20 to 11 days (P<0.001) and 5 to 2 days/month (P<0.001), respectively. Predictors for good outcome were female gender, migraine, triptan overuse and a frequency of 10 days/month, whereas tension-type headache and overuse of simple analgesics predicted a poor outcome.

Conclusions: The present analysis provided support for a multidisciplinary approach in a tertiary headache centre. Further evaluation of specific treatment strategies and outcome predictors are important for future planning.