PCH-CU: Primary Cough Headache in a Cough Unit. A prospective study.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
PCH-CU: Description of Primary Cough Headache in a Cough Unit: A prospective study.
IRAS ID
256341
Contact name
Peter Goadsby
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 1 days
Research summary
Since it was first described by Sir Charles Simonds in 1956, Primary Cough Headache (PCH) has been scarcely
documented in the literature. Only few studies have led to the description of the main features of this entity and the
diagnostic criteria (ICH-III). According to the latter, it is a short-lasting (1 second to 2 hours), sudden headache,
brought on by and occurring only in association with coughing, straining and/ or other Valsalva manoeuvre. Its
prevalence is thought to be around 1%, although it could affect up to 14% of patients in Cough Units. Pathophysiology
is still uncertain. By recruiting the highest number of patients to date, this study aims to provide a better description of
Full Set of Project Data IRAS Version 5.9.1
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DRAFT
the PCH features and its possible relationship with other comorbidities.
The study design consists of a cross-sectional study of one group of patients. Consecutive patients attending the
Cough Clinic will be asked to complete a pre-screening (asking for the presence of headache). Patients who have
been determined as likely to be eligible by the clinical team’s pre-screening will complete a screening visit (visit 1).
This entails the standard informed consent process and a semi-structured interview to confirm eligibility. This will take
place either via a phone call or in person at the Clinical Research Facility, King’s College Hospital, as preferred. At this
point, Cough patients with confirmed eligibility will continue in the study. Patients screened as eligible at visit 1
(possible PCH) will undergo physical/ neurological examination (Visit 2) and will complete the modified Valsalva
manoeuvre at the Clinical Research Facility, King’s College Hospital. In those eligible (cough headache) patients with
no previous neuroimaging performed (either brain MRI or brain CT scan) and abnormal physical exam, a craniocervical
MRI will be arranged to be completed within one month.
The main eligibility criteria are:
- Male and female patients with a diagnosis of cough headache, aged between 18-80 years.
- Participants must be willing and able to comply with scheduled visits and study procedures.
- Subjects with history of brain mass lesion within the last 12 month will be excluded.REC name
South East Scotland REC 01
REC reference
18/SS/0165
Date of REC Opinion
30 Jan 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion