A Study of the Prevalence of Headache in Epileptic Patients

Headache is often ignored as a symptom of epileptic seizures. The purpose of this survey is to investigate the prevalence, characteristics and classification of seizure-associated headaches and non-seizure-associated headaches in epileptic patients in Korea, according the criteria of the International Headache Society 2004. In this survey, 577 consecutive patients with a recent diagnosis of epilepsy are interviewed by questionnaire about headaches associated with epileptic seizures. It involves questions about headache in general, localization, severity, duration and frequency, as well as headache associated with seizures, and about patient's family history. This Observational study does not involve the administration of any drugs.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients with a recent diagnosis epilepsy
• Able to describe their symptoms by themselves
• Have had at least 2 episodes of seizures during the previous year
• Have had at least 1 headache during the previous year

Exclusion criteria

• Well-controlled epileptic patients taking anti-epileptic medications