Prevalence of cluster headache in the Republic of Georgia: results of a population-based study and methodological considerations

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Z Katsarava
  • A Dzagnidze
  • M Kukava
  • E Mirvelashvili
  • M Djibuti
  • M Janelidze
  • Jensen, Rigmor Højland
  • L J Stovner
  • T J Steiner
  • Global Campaign to Reduce the Burden of Headache Worldwide
  • Russian Linguistic Subcommittee of the International Headache Society
  • Z Katsarava
  • A Dzagnidze
  • M Kukava
  • E Mirvelashvili
  • M Djibuti
  • M Janelidze
  • Jensen, Rigmor Højland
  • L J Stovner
  • T J Steiner
  • Global Campaign to Reduce the Burden of Headache Worldwide
  • Russian Linguistic Subcommittee of the International Headache Society
We present a study of the general-population prevalence of cluster headache in the Republic of Georgia and discuss the advantages and challenges of different methodological approaches. In a community-based survey, specially trained medical residents visited 500 adjacent households in the capital city, Tbilisi, and 300 households in the eastern rural area of Kakheti. They interviewed all (n = 1145) biologically unrelated adult occupants using a previously validated questionnaire. The household responses rates were 92% in Tbilisi and 100% in Kakheti. The survey identified 32 persons with possible cluster headache, who were then personally interviewed by one of two headache-experienced neurologists. Cluster headache was confirmed in one subject. The prevalence of cluster headache was therefore estimated to be 87/100,000 (95% confidence interval < 258/100,000). We used a conservative approach, which has an obvious advantage of high-quality data collection, but is very demanding of manpower and time.
Original languageEnglish
JournalCephalalgia
Volume29
Issue number9
Pages (from-to)949-52
Number of pages3
ISSN0333-1024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009

Bibliographical note

Keywords: Adult; Cluster Headache; Female; Georgia (Republic); Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Questionnaires

ID: 21428914