Background: Cluster headache (CH) attacks are known as the most severe pain that mankind can experience. The etiology of the disease remains unknown as does the circumstances regarding the nocturnal attack preponderance. Solid studies exploring the clinical characteristics and the pathophysiology are essential.

Aims: The thesis consists of four studies. The first study aimed to thoroughly investigate a large cohort of CH patients to recognize clinical differences between men and women with CH and to add focus on diagnostic pitfalls. This study further aimed to analyze the diurnal attack distribution in men and women separately. The second study aimed to describe the lifestyle and presence of co-morbid lifestyle-related diseases in CH patients and controls, as this could potentially influence disease onset, severity and management. The third and fourth studies aimed to further explore the circumstances in relation to sleep by applying gold standard polysomnography and more explorative actigraphy of patients in bout, in remission and of healthy controls.

Method: The first two studies derived from a large questionnaire with CH patients recruited from the Danish Headache Center. The first study investigated possible gender differences in the clinical presentation and in attack distribution among 351 patients. The second study investigated lifestyle.... 

Academic advisor: Professor Rigmor Højland Jensen.

Academic advisor: MD., Ph.D. Mads Christian Johannes Barløse.

Academic advisor: Professor Poul Jørgen Jennum.