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A retrospective observation on 105 patients with chronic cluster headache receiving indomethacin

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Abstract

Background

Indomethacin (IMC) as a prophylactic treatment is considered to be ineffective in cluster headache (CH). However, small series suggested the interest of IMC in CH. Some authors support that an IMC test is useful in all trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias. We described clinical features of IMC responders in a retrospective cohort of chronic cluster headache (CCH).

Methods

This single-center and retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary care specialist headache center in France. Patients were selected between January 2007 and December 2008. We included all patients fulfilling CCH criteria (ICHD-3-beta). Data were collected from medical records. We recorded all the prescriptions of IMC as a prophylactic treatment. Responders were defined by 50% reduction in attack frequency; complete response was defined by disappearance of the attacks. The non-responders must have received at least 100 mg daily during 7 days.

Results

The study consisted of 324 CCH, 121 female (37%) and 203 males (63%) with an average age at onset of 33.93 (± 14.71) years. Of the patients, 105 were treated with IMC. Thirty patients (29%) were responders. Thirty-four patients (32%) were non-responders. Responding status was undefined for 41 patients (39%). Twelve patients (11%) had a complete response. Responders were composed by 18 women (60%) and 12 men (40%) and had on average 44.89 (± 12.88) years. The minimal effective dose was 86.11 mg daily (± 48.72).

Discussion

This study shows the interest of IMC in CCH patients. We recommend an IMC test as a third-line treatment in CCH.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Evaluation and Treatment of Pain, FHU INOVPAIN, la Timone Hospital, CHU Timone, AP-HM, Marseille, France

    Anaé Monta, Sylvain Redon & Anne Donnet

  2. EA 3279, Public Health, Chronic Diseases and Quality of Life, Research Unit, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France

    Cyprien Fabre

  3. INSERM U-1107, CHU de Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France

    Anne Donnet

Authors
  1. Anaé Monta
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  2. Sylvain Redon
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  4. Anne Donnet
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Correspondence to Sylvain Redon.

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Ethical approval

The legal approval for the registry has been obtained from the CNIL as an internal study (French National Committee for Informatics and Liberty) under authorization No RGPD/AP-HM 2019-67.

Conflict of interest

Dr. Monta reports no disclosure.

Dr. Redon reports no disclosure.

Dr. Fabre reports no disclosure.

Dr. Donnet reports disclosure with Allergan, Almirall SAS, Astellas, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Grunenthal, Lilly, MSD, Orkyn, Pfizer, Saint-Jude, Sanofi-Aventis, Teva, Zambon, and Novartis.

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Monta, A., Redon, S., Fabre, C. et al. A retrospective observation on 105 patients with chronic cluster headache receiving indomethacin. Neurol Sci 42, 4175–4182 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-021-05114-4

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