A Consecutive Series of 22 Cases of Hypnic Headache in France

Abstract

A series of 22 patients was consecutively diagnosed with hypnic headache (HH) from June 2007 to June 2008 in two headache specialty centres participating in the French Observatory of Migraine and Headaches. Patients and headache characteristics were compared with the 2004 International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd edn (ICHD-II) criteria for HH and published series of HH patients. One-third of HH patients reported migraine-like headaches (pulsating/unilateral/stabbing) and > 20% were aged < 50 years at symptom onset. Of note, HH patients displayed typical motor activities during the headache (getting up, eating/drinking especially a cup of coffee, reading/ watching television) that differentiate HH from migraine and suggest relationships between HH and trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias. The functional and emotional impact of HH appears low and similar to that of migraine in patients consulting in primary care practice. Improvements in ICHD-II criteria are suggested, especially to introduce the typical motor behaviour acted out by HH patients.