Fatigue and Sleep in Chronic Headache Sufferers: An Age‐ and Sex‐Controlled Questionnaire Study

Abstract

We studied fatigue and sleep in chronic headache sufferers in comparison to age- and sex-matched controls. We determined the prevalence and intensity of fatigue as well as several sleep features. The study was conducted in a headache center through the use of a questionnaire. One hundred thirteen headache sufferers (59 men and 54 women) and 110 controls (56 men and 54 women) were included in the analysis. Fatigue was found to be equally common in the headache sufferers (70.3%) and in the controls (60.0%). However, the headache sufferers rated the intensity of their fatigue significantly higher (4.1 versus 2.8 cm on a 10-cm visual analog scale). When the sexes were considered separately, the difference in intensity of the fatigue between the two groups was significant only for the women (5.1 versus 3.0 cm). With regard to sleep, the headache sufferers slept significantly shorter (6.7 hours) than the controls (7.0 hours). It also took them longer to fall asleep (31.4 versus 21.1 minutes) and longer to fall back asleep after waking up at night (28.5 versus 14.6 minutes). When the sexes were considered separately, the differences in sleep features between the two groups were significant only for the men. On the basis of these results, we conclude that chronic headache sufferers feel more tired, especially the women, and do not sleep as well at night, especially the men. Further study is necessary to determine the significance of these findings in relation to chronic headache suffering.

Does sleep aggravate tension-type headache?: An investigation using computerized ecological momentary assessment and actigraphy

“…Regarding sleep, previous studies have reported that sleeping problems were associated with TTH, although the association might be explained by a comorbid mood or anxiety disorder [2-4]. In addition, both insufficient sleep and oversleeping, as well as sleep pattern changes, have been reported as precipitating or aggravating factors of TTH in cross-sectional studies using questionnaires or interviews [5-9].…”

Fibromyalgia, fatigue, and headache disorders

“…Spierings and van Hoof [46] found complaints of fatigue in 70% of headache patients, and they rated the intensity of their fatigue significantly higher than control subjects. They also found headache patients slept significantly shorter and took longer to fall asleep.…”

Challenges of nonpharmacologic interventions in chronic tension-type headache

“…Sleep problems in headache patients take many forms, including insomnia, sleep-related breathing disorders, circadian rhythm disorders, and parasomnias, although insomnia is the most common sleep problem. Increased rates of insomnia are found among patients who present for specialty treatment of headache [36], as well as those with chronic daily (versus episodic) headache [37], both of which characterize the population of interest here. The resulting daytime fatigue and irritability may negatively impact compliance with behavioral headache treatment.…”