Frequencies of Tension-Type Headache and Cluster Headache Among Patients Presenting with Headache to a Neurology Department in Bahawalpur, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Headache is a common neurological complaint and a major cause of disability. Tension-type headache is common, whereas cluster headache is less common but highly disabling. Local data from Pakistan are limited; therefore, this study assessed the frequency of these headache types among patients presenting to the neurology department in Bahawalpur. Objectives: To assess the frequency of tension-type headache and cluster headache among patients presenting with headache at the neurology department in Bahawalpur, Pakistan. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Neurology, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur, Pakistan, from October 2024 to March 2025. Tension-type headache and cluster headache were diagnosed according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (ICHD-3), criteria. A total of 300 patients were recruited using a non-probability consecutive sampling method. The exclusion criteria included altered consciousness, a history of seizures, neurological malignancy, or known psychiatric disorders. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants, and strict confidentiality of their data was maintained. Demographic data, including age and gender, were collected, and participants were assessed for the presence of tension-type headache and cluster headache. All data were entered into SPSS version 23 for analysis. Results: The mean age of the participants was 31.4 ± 16.7 years, and 189 (63.0%) participants were female. Tension-type headache was observed in 88 (29.3%) patients, whereas cluster headache was identified in 26 (8.7%) patients. No statistically significant association was observed between tension-type headache and gender (P = 0.258) or age (P = 0.920). A statistically significant association was found between cluster headache and male gender (P = 0.027) but not with age (P = 0.737). Conclusions: Tension-type headache was more common than cluster headache. Cluster headache was significantly associated with male sex, but not with age, whereas tension-type headache was not significantly associated with either age or sex.