Headache and systemic lupus erythematosus: prevalence and associated conditions

Objective: To study the prevalence of headache in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and normal population as well as associated conditions. Method: Forty nine SLE patients and 50 controls were analyzed for presence of headaches (tensional and migraine). In the SLE group, we studied the occurrence of Raynaud, teleangiectasis, cutaneous vasculitis, convulsions and antiphospholipid antibodies. Results: Among SLE patients, 42 had headaches (85.7%), 29 with migraine and 13 tensional; on the control group, 28 had headaches (57.1 %), 18 migraine and 10 tension type with p=0.0026 for migraine. In SLE patients we did not find any association between migraine and Raynaud (p=0.34), teleangiectasis (p=0.77), cutaneous vasculitis (p=0.63), seizures (p=0.13), aCl IgG (p=0.45), IgM (=0.07) and LAC (p=0.59). Conclusion: Migraine is more prevalent in the SLE population. However, it has no relationship with Raynaud, teleangiectasis, seizures, cutaneous vasculitis and antiphospholipid antibodies.