Headache before and after ischemic stroke, their relationship with the outcome of ischemic stroke

The aim of the study was to reveal the association between ischemic stroke and headache. The prospective study design was used. The study randomized 65 Riga East Clinical University hospital inpatients, with diagnosis ischemic stroke from January to September 2020. The data was analyzed using SPSS. Of the patients included in the study 55% (n-35) were women, 45% (n-30) men. 32% (n-21, 76% women) reported headache associated with ischemic stroke (HAIS), of which 42,86% (n-9) sentinel headache, 47,62% (n-10) new onset, late-onset 9,52% (n-2). 28% (n-6) migraine like, 72% (n-15) tension type. Ischemic stroke localization 46,15% (n-30) middle cerebral artery (MCA), posterior cerebral artery (PCA) 15,38% (n-10), vertebrobasilar artery (VB) 35,38% (n-23), 3,08% (n-2) anterior cerebral artery (ACA). HAIS reported 20% (n-6) of patients with ischemic stroke MCA, 50% (n-5) PCA, VB 43% (n-10). 71,43% (n-15) posterior circulation stroke, 76% (n-16) headache persisted after 3 months. The mean age of patients with HAIS was 55.33 years old 95.23% (n-20). Functional status: patients with HAIS at time of discharge – mRS was 0-3 and NIHSS ≤3 80.95% (n-17). At time of discharge patients without HAIS 46 % ( n-21) – mRS was 0-3 and NIHSS≤3 22.73% (n-10). Our study data shows that 32% of patients with ischemic stroke have HAIS. HAIS is more common in women as well as young people, HAIS more commonly associated with posterior circulation stroke. HAIS had tension-type phenotype, less migraine like symptoms. New onset headache was associated with better outcomes after ischemic stroke.