Table 3

Association of characteristics of the nummular headache with complete resolution after treatment

CharacteristicsResolution (yes)Resolution (no)P value
Age (years; median ±SE; IQR)47±2.5 (33–56)49±2.9 (41–63)0.1835
Gender0.1648
 Male14 (35%)15 (51.72%)
 Female26 (65%)14 (48.28%)
Latency from the first attack to diagnosis (months; median ±SE)12±8.6724±32.140.0249
Age of onset of pain (years; median ±SE)41±2.7343±2.960.9337
Intensity of pain (VRS 1–10; median ±SE)6±0.255.5±0.320.6991
Diameter of the pain (cm; median ±SE)4±0.234±0.300.2054
Number of attacks per day (median ±SE)4±2.93±2.50.6191
Frequency (days/month; median ±SE)19.5±5.499.5±1.700.1659
Duration of attacks (min)0.0833
 <3011 (64.71%)5 (38.46%)
 30–1205 (29.41%)3 (23.08%)
 >1201 (5.88%)5 (38.46%)
Temporary relief of headache<0.0001
Yes35 (87.50%)12 (42.86%)
No5 (12.50%)16 (57.14%)
Onabotulinum toxin A (BoNT-A)0.0024
 Yes12 (30%)0 (0%)
 No28 (70%)25 (100%)
Triptan0.5554
 Yes1 (2.56%)2 (8%)
 No38 (97.44%)23 (92.00%)
Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA)*0.1356
 Yes4 (7.50%)5 (20%)
 No37 (92.50%)20 (80%)
Lamotrigine0.0002
 Yes0 (0%)8 (32%)
 No40 (100%)17 (68%)
Gabapentin0.1163
 Yes24 (60%)10 (40%)
 No16 (40%)15 (60%)
Carbamazepine<0.0001
 Yes1 (2.50%)10 (40%)
 No39 (97.50%)15 (60%)
  • Note that all percentages are column percentages to compare characteristics between complete resolution and no-resolution groups.

  • Missing data were not considered for the calculation of the frequency percentages.

  • *TCA includes amitriptyline and nortriptyline.

  • BoNT-A, botulinum toxin type A; VRS, verbal rating scale (intensity 1=least severe to 10=most severe).