Headache. 1992 Mar;32(3):119-25.
Episodic cluster headache. I: Personality and some neuropsychological
characteristics in male patients.
Levi R, Edman GV, Ekbom K, Waldenlind E
Department of Neurology, Soder Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
The etiology and pathogenesis of cluster headache remain largely unknown. Some
previous studies have focused on personality characteristics in cluster
headache. However, no consistent personality profile has been found. The present
study applied two personality inventories, the Karolinska Scales of Personality
(KSP) and the Heart and Lifestyle Type A Measure (HALTAM), that have not
previously been used in the context of cluster headache. A correlation has been
suggested between left-handedness and early learning difficulties, and cluster
headache. Thus, these variables were included and measured by inventory
techniques. Forty-nine out of 51 consecutive male patients with episodic cluster
headache participated in the present study. As compared to controls, the cluster
headache patients were significantly more anxiety-prone (higher scores in the
KSP Somatic anxiety and Muscular tension subscales), less successfully
socialized (low scores in the KSP Socialization scale), and had a more hostile
attitude towards others (higher scores in the HALTAM Hostility scale). No
relationships between left-handedness or early learning difficulties, and
cluster headache disease were found. The implications of the personality
differences for the etiology of cluster headache disease are discussed.
PMID: 1563942
----------
Page Last Updated: 03/25/2007