BACKGROUND

Patients with chronic headache are seen in an interdisciplinary pain clinic after many years of treatment. Compared with other pain syndromes, the standards for diagnosis and treatment are widely accepted according to the guidelines of the International Headache Society. Nevertheless, many patients continue to suffer. Analysis of their special clinical features may help to clarify what kind of conditions potentially cause chronicity.

METHODS

A total of 193 patients were seen in 1992-1993 in our pain clinic. Epidemiological, medical and psychological data were analyzed retrospectively. Classification of headache syndromes and pain behavior was based on the criteria of the International Headache Society, taxonomy of the Multiaxial Pain Classification System for Somatic Dimensions (MASK-S) and "Stages of Chronicity". Important psychodynamic factors were taken from standardized psychological interviews.

RESULTS

The patients had a mean age of 46 years; 67 % of them were female. Fifty-three percent of the patients suffered from chronic tension headache; a high percentage was suspected to be caused by analgesic intake. Because of their pain behavior, 68 % were classified as being in an advanced chronic stage with a poor prognosis. The most important findings of the psychological diagnosis was that 40 % of patients had a depressive style of conflict solving.

CONCLUSIONS

The results are discussed with respect to their relevance in explaining development of chronic pain, as seen in selected headache patients in an interdisciplinary pain clinic.