Background Cluster headache (CH) is a relatively rare primary headache that is poorly recognized clinically, and its onset has a typical seasonal rhythm. There are few studies describing the relationship between meteorological factors and CH.
Objective To explore the seasonal rhythm of CH and the influence of meteorological factors on the incidence and pre-cluster symptoms of CH.
Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 204 CH patients from Chinese PLA General Hospital and nine other neurology clinics from January 2019 to September 2021, the relationship between meteorological factors and the incidence of CH and pre-cluster symptoms was analyzed.
Results Of the 204 cases, there were 165 males and 39 females. The average age of onset was (33.8±9.3) years. The incidence of cluster periods exhibited a seasonal pattern, with cluster periods being more common in spring and less common in winter. The mean temperature (MdIQR:16.3 7.3, 23.8 ℃), diurnal temperature range (MdIQR: 11.9 9.0, 15.0 ℃), atmospheric pressure (MdIQR:762.7 755.4, 768.0 mmHg), and relative humidity (MdIQR:61.7 44.1, 76.0 %) on the day of CH onset were not the risk factors for the occurrence of the CH (P >0.05). In total, 35 patients (17.2%) had pre-cluster symptoms, indicating an early warning for CH. The risk of the presence of pre-cluster symptoms increased when there was a higher relative humidity on 14 days before onset (OR=1.028, 95% CI: 1.006-1.050, P=0.012).
Conclusion In our cohort of patients, CH commonly occurs in spring. The correlation between the meteorological factors and the occurrence of cluster periods needs to be further explored. The humidity of half a month before the onset may be a risk factor for the occurrence of pre-cluster symptoms.
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