Intracranial Pressure Directly Predicts Headache Morbidity in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

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Objective: Headache is the predominant disabler in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). The aim was to characterise headache and investigate the association with intracranial pressure. Methods: : IIH:WT was a randomised controlled parallel group multicentre trial in the United Kingdom investigating weight management methods in IIH. Participants with active IIH (evidenced by papilloedema) and a body mass index (BMI) ≥35kg/m 2 were recruited. At baseline, 12 months and 24 months headache characteristics and quality of life outcome measures were collected and lumbar puncture measurements were performed. Results: : Sixty-six women with active IIH were included with a mean age of 32.0 years (SD ± 7.8), and mean body mass index of 43.9 ± 7.0 kg/m 2 . The headache phenotype was migraine-like in 86%. Headache severity correlated with ICP at baseline (r=0.285; p=0.024); change in headache severity and monthly headache days correlated with change in ICP at 12 months (r=0.454, p=0.001 and r=0.419, p=0.002 respectively). Cutaneous allodynia was significantly correlated with ICP at 12 months. (r=0.479, p<0.001). Boot strap analysis noted a positive association between ICP at 12 and 24 months and enabled prediction of both change in headache severity and monthly headache days. ICP was associated with significant improvements in quality of life (SF-36). Conclusions: : We demonstrate a positive relationship between ICP and headache and cutaneous allodynia, which has not been previously reported in IIH. Those with the greatest reduction in ICP over 12 months had the greatest reduction in headache frequency and severity; this was associated with improvement of quality of life measures. Classification of evidence: This work provides Class IIa evidence of the association of raised intracranial pressure and headache. ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02124486.
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Intracranial Pressure Directly Predicts Headache Morbidity in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research article Intracranial Pressure Directly Predicts Headache Morbidity in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Susan Mollan, Benjamin Wakerley, Zerin Alimajstorovic, James Mitchell, and 7 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-479747/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 9 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Objective: Headache is the predominant disabler in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). The aim was to characterise headache and investigate the association with intracranial pressure. Methods: IIH:WT was a randomised controlled parallel group multicentre trial in the United Kingdom investigating weight management methods in IIH. Participants with active IIH (evidenced by papilloedema) and a body mass index (BMI) ≥35kg/m 2 were recruited. At baseline, 12 months and 24 months headache characteristics and quality of life outcome measures were collected and lumbar puncture measurements were performed. Results: Sixty-six women with active IIH were included with a mean age of 32.0 years (SD ± 7.8), and mean body mass index of 43.9 ± 7.0 kg/m 2 . The headache phenotype was migraine-like in 86%. Headache severity correlated with ICP at baseline (r=0.285; p=0.024); change in headache severity and monthly headache days correlated with change in ICP at 12 months (r=0.454, p=0.001 and r=0.419, p=0.002 respectively). Cutaneous allodynia was significantly correlated with ICP at 12 months. (r=0.479, p<0.001). Boot strap analysis noted a positive association between ICP at 12 and 24 months and enabled prediction of both change in headache severity and monthly headache days. ICP was associated with significant improvements in quality of life (SF-36). Conclusions: We demonstrate a positive relationship between ICP and headache and cutaneous allodynia, which has not been previously reported in IIH. Those with the greatest reduction in ICP over 12 months had the greatest reduction in headache frequency and severity; this was associated with improvement of quality of life measures. Classification of evidence: This work provides Class IIa evidence of the association of raised intracranial pressure and headache. ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02124486. Neurology Idiopathic intracranial hypertension migraine intracranial pressure allodynia calcitonin gene related peptide Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Introduction Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a rare disease that is increasingly recognised. 1 , 2 It is characterized by raised intracranial pressure (ICP) in the absence of a structural cause on brain imaging. 3 , 4 Although the exact cause of IIH remains unknown, disease development is associated with obesity and there is increasing evidence to suggest adipose dysfunction. 5 Headache is the predominant symptom and is prioritized highly by patients and physicians. 6 The headache in IIH remains under-characterized 7 and is associated with significant morbidity and reduced quality of life. 8 The International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3 beta) attributes headache in IIH to be associated with raised intracranial pressure and acknowledges that it often mimics primary headache disorders such as migraine. 9 While the International Headache Society stipulates the importance on relief of headache following removal of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), evidence suggests this relief is far from universal 10 and can occur in other headache conditions such as migraine. 11 Rarely some patients with evidence of raised ICP do not ever develop headache. 12 The pathogenesis of IIH headache remains unknown, as do the risk factors that propagate persistent headache. Calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) monoclonal antibodies have been noted in a prospective study to significantly improve headache in patients with IIH and persistent post-IIH headache (resolved papilloedema), suggesting CGRP may modulate headache pain. 13 , 14 The relationship between development of headache and raised ICP in IIH is poorly understood. A previous trial in 165 patients with newly diagnosed IIH 15 did not identify an association between intracranial pressure and headache. However, a question remains as to whether the role of ICP in driving ongoing headache in patients with chronic headache. The aim of this analysis was to describe the headache characteristics in those with active IIH recruited to the multicentre IIH Weight Trial (IIH:WT), and to explore the relationship of headache features to ICP. Methods Study Procedures Between July 25, 2014 and May 25, 2017, 66 female patients were recruited to the multicentre randomised controlled trial IIH:WT, comparing the efficacy of a bariatric surgery pathway versus the dietary intervention Weight Watchers™. All participants had active IIH with papilloedema and lumbar puncture opening pressures ≥ 25cm cerebrospinal fluid, in accordance with agreed criteria for diagnosis of IIH. 1 The protocol and eligibility criteria have been previously published. 16 At baseline a detailed clinical, medication and standardized headache history was taken (including the location, character, associated symptoms, timing and exacerbating / relieving factors) by a physician with specialist training in headache phenotyping. Headache preventatives were permitted during the study, but any changes were recorded. As part of the trial anthropometric data including weight and height were recorded, and a lumbar puncture was performed. Headaches were characterized using ICHD-3beta criteria for primary and secondary headache disorders. 9 At baseline, 12 and 24 months all IIH patients were required to return a headache diary which included details of headache severity; headache duration; headache frequency (monthly headache days); and analgesic use (days per month). The headache severity was scored using a numerical rating scale (NRS) ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (the most severe pain level experienced by the subject). The NRS is favoured by patients and widely used in migraine trials. 17 Cutaneous allodynia symptoms were assessed during a headache using the patient-completed Allodynia Symptom Checklist-12 (ASC-12) in the week prior to their baseline and 12 month visit. Score ranges from 0 = no symptoms to 24 = severe symptoms; 0–2 = no allodynia, 3–5 = mild allodynia, 6–8 = moderate allodynia, 9 or more = severe allodynia (supplemental methods). In addition, pressure allodynia was assessed in patients at baseline and at 12 months using three different weights of von Frey hairs (F1, 0.32g; F2, 8.30g; and F3, 24g). 18 Patients rated pressure allodynia using a 100mm visual analogue scale. Outcome measures included the headache impact test-6 disability questionnaire (HIT-6); where little or no impact = HIT-6 score ≤ 49; some impact = HIT-6 score 50–55; substantial impact = HIT-6 score 56–59; severe impact = HIT-6 score ≥ 60. Health-related quality of life was assessed using the Rand patient-reported 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). The eight sections of the SF-36 yielded two summary scores (physical component summary, PCS; and mental component summary, MCS). Statistical analysis Descriptive statistics were used to compare demographic characteristics. Analysis by trial arm was not part of the aims of the study. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad, version 8.3 (GraphPad Software, La Jolla, California, USA). Mean and standard deviations are provided for normally distributed variables, and median and range provided for non-normally distributed variables. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was computed where the variables were normally distributed and all assumptions were met, with Spearman’s rank correlation used in other cases. Values were deemed statistically significant at p < 0.05. Missing data, due to any absence or choice, were excluded from the analysis and not imputed. Hierarchical regression models were generated, with data for all patients analysed in one model. Models contained population-level terms (i.e. terms that apply to each experimental unit) to reflect: 1) the mean baseline value (i.e. the intercept); 2) the mean change from baseline associated with each assessment time (i.e. time as a factor variable); 3) the extra mean change from baseline associated with each assessment time in the experimental arm (i.e. the interaction of treatment allocation and time as a factor variable). Additionally, hierarchical regression models contained random effects (i.e. terms that are specific to each experimental unit) to reflect the random deviations from the population-level mean value at baseline (i.e. random intercepts). For ICP, the random intercepts were estimated for each patient, with each of these parameters assumed to be exchangeable draws from a normal distribution. To assess the relationship between ICP and headache, we have bootstrap resampling of the observed outcomes to generate alternative pairs of treatment effects. Alternative datasets were generated by resampling patients with replacement from the original treatment allocations to which they were randomised. The hierarchical regression model described above was fitted to each resampled dataset, producing a pair of treatment effects for the surrogate and clinical outcomes from a notional randomisation of patients. This process was repeated 1000 times. The resampled datasets within in each arm in each trial were the same size as the original datasets. Standard protocol approvals, registration, and patient consent The trial was approved by The National Research Ethics Committee West Midlands – The Black Country, on 28 February 2014 (14/WM/0011). All participants gave written consent after receiving detailed written information. The trial was registered, clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02124486. Data availability statement Anonymised individual participant data will be made available along with the trial protocol and statistical analysis plan. Proposals should be made to the corresponding author and will be reviewed by the Birmingham Clinical Trials Unit Data Sharing Committee in discussion with the Chief Investigator. A formal Data Sharing Agreement may be required between respective organisations once release of the data is approved and before data can be released. Classification of evidence This work provides Class IIa evidence that headache is associated with intracranial pressure. Results Patient Characteristics Sixty-six persons (100% women) with active IIH were included in the analysis (Table 1 ). Mean age at inclusion was 32.0 years (SD ± 7.8, range 20–53 years), and the mean body mass index was 43.9 ± 7.0 kg/m 2 ranging from 35.3 to 63.3 kg/m 2 . The median IIH disease duration was 1.1 years (IQR 0.5–2.6) and ranging from 0.1 to 20.0 years. Forty-five participants (68%) reported a previous history of migraine, of which 24 (53%) reported onset in childhood (age < 18 years). Table 1 Characteristics of the study cohort at baseline Total (n = 66) Age in years, mean (SD) 32 (7.8) Ethnicity, number (%) White 55 (83) Mixed 5(8) Asian 1(1) Black 5 (8) Duration of IIH diagnosis, median (IQR) 1.1 (0.5–2.6) Number on acetazolamide (%) 19 (29) Number on topiramate (%) 6 (9) Lumbar puncture opening pressure, cmCSF, mean (SD) 35.5 (7.0) Weight, Kg (SD) 118.5 (21.1) Body Mass Index (weight (kg)/ height (m 2 ), mean (SD) 43.9 (7.0) Smoking status - smoker n = 27 Smoking intensity of 10 or more cigarettes per day, n (%) 18 (67) Family history of primary headache disorder, % 19 (7/37) Previous history of migraine, n (%) 45 (68) Duration of migraine, n (%) n = 45 Less than 1 year 5 (11) 1–5 years 7 (16) 5–10 years 5 (11) 10–20 years 3 (7) More than 20 years 1 (2) Since childhood (age < 18 years) 24 (53) Headache preventative medication use, n (%) n = 18 Beta-blocker 1 (6) Tricyclic antidepressant 7 (39) Anticonvulsant 8 (44) Other 2 (11) Headache characteristics at baseline Within this cohort 65 participants (98%) reported headache at the time of their IIH diagnosis. At the time of the baseline assessment 63 (95%) reported headache. The headache phenotype was migraine-like in 57 (86%) and of those, 23 (40%) described migraine aura. Of those with migraine-like headaches 40 (70%) had a phenotype consistent with chronic migraine-like headaches (> 15 headache days per month of which > 8 are migraine-like), while 17 (30%) had episodic migraine-like headaches (less than 15 migraine-like headache days per month). 8 At the time of study assessment, 44 (67%) had headache, which fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for headaches attributed to IIH. 23 (35%) patients fulfilled the criteria for medication-overuse headaches. There was one patient who had headaches not attributable to either migraine-like or attributable to IIH, and had tension-type headache. Headache location was predominately bilateral 76%; with fewer reporting unilateral pain, 20% being on the right side and 18% being on the left side (note these were not mutually exclusive responses, Supplemental Table 1). Headache pain was typically throbbing 73%, but also a pressure sensation 55% and less commonly stabbing 11% or shooting 7%. Photophobia and phonophobia were described in 81% and 60%, respectively, with fewer (19%) describing osmophobia. 70% described nausea and 18% experienced vomiting with their headache attacks. Dizziness was reported in 33%. Headaches on waking were reported in 12%. Autonomic features were rarely reported 5%. Pulsatile tinnitus was a feature in 74%. Headaches were exacerbated by physical activity in 53%; by lying flat in 32%; on bending 31%; and on Valsalva manoeuvre in 23%. (Table 3 ) Table 2 Outcome measures, headache phenotype and ictal cutaneous allodynia at baseline Headache at baseline, n (%) 63 (95%) Headache severity, verbal rating scale (0–10), mean (SD) 5.0 (2.0) Headache duration (hours), mean (SD) 8.2 (6.3) Headache frequency (days per month), mean (SD) 22.2 (7.8) Analgesic use (days per month), mean (SD) 12.3 (9.0) HIT-6 score, mean (SD) 65 (7.3) SF-36, physical component score, mean (SD) n = 60 28.7 (12.7) SF-36, mental component score, mean (SD) n = 60 37.7 (11.0) Headache phenotypes (not mutually exclusive), n (%) n = 66 No headache 1 (2%) Migraine-like 57 (86%) Migraine-like without aura 34 (60%) Migraine-like with aura 23 (40%) Chronic migraine-like 40 (70%) Episodic migraine-like 17 (30%) Headache attributed to IIH 44 (67%) Medication-overuse 23 (35%) Tension-like 1 (2%) Cutaneous allodynia (ictal), mean (SD), n = 58 19.16 (5.79) None (0–2) 0 (0%) Mild (3–5) 0 (0%) Moderate (6–8) 2 (3.4%) Severe (9+) 56 (96.6%) Table 3 Predicting changes in headache severity and monthly headache days from changes in intracranial pressure Time (months) Change in intracranial pressure (cmH 2 0) Change in mean headache severity (95% confidence interval) Change in mean MHD (95% confidence interval) 12 -5 -0.95 (-2.61, 0.68) -3.06 (-9.61, 2.91) 12 -10 -1.35 (-2.70, 0.10) -4.08 (-9.56, 2.80) 24 -5 0.43 (-1.18, 1.96) -5.32 (-11.5, 1.35) 24 -10 -0.19 (-1.94, 1.61) -6.17 (-13.3, 0.79) Headache burden Headache disability, as measured by the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) questionnaire, had a mean score of 65 (SD ± 7.3) at baseline. Mean headache severity was 5.0 (SD ± 2.0) and mean daily duration of headache was 8.2 hours (SD ± 6.3). Monthly headache days were mean 22.2 days (SD ± 7.8) and mean monthly analgesic use was 12.3 days (9.0). By 12 months 76% of participants reported ongoing headache. The mean headache severity had improved (3.6 (SD ± 2.9), with a concurrent reduction in the headache frequency (monthly headache days 15.1 (SD ± 11.5)) and monthly analgesic use (8.6 (SD ± 9.8)). No parameter reached statistical significance. Medications at baseline At baseline 38% participants were receiving medication specifically to lower ICP. This included 29% receiving Acetazolamide, and 9% Topiramate. 5% of participants were receiving diuretics (Bendroflumethiazide, n = 1; Furosemide, n = 1; and Co-amilofruse, n = 1). 27% of participants were receiving medication for prevention of headache (migraine and/or tension-type headache) (beta blocker, n = 1; tricyclic antidepressant, n = 7; anticonvulsant, n = 8; other, n = 2) (Table 2 ). Relationship of ICP to headache The whole cohort mean lumbar puncture opening pressure (LP OP) at baseline was 34.7cmCSF (SD 5.7) which reduced to 28.95 (SD 7.7) and 26.8 (SD 8.0) by 12 and 24 months respectively. Headache severity at baseline correlated with ICP (Fig. 1a, r = 0.285, p = 0.024) although the monthly headache days did not. The reduction in ICP over 12 months correlated with the reduction in headache severity and monthly headache days (MHD) (Fig. 1b and 1c, r = 0.454, p = 0.001 and r = 0.419, p = 0.002 respectively). This relationship continued at 24 months but did not reach statistical significance. Relationship between cutaneous allodynia and ICP At baseline 58/63 (92%) reported ictal cutaneous allodynia with a mean cutaneous allodynia score of 19.2 (SD ± 5.79) and reducing at 12 months to a mean of 17.1 (SD ± 7.20) (p = 0.01). There was no relationship between the allodynia score and headache severity and MHD at baseline. By 12 month MHD correlated with the allodynia score (r = 0.331, p = 0.015). The change in MHD and headache severity over 12 months correlated with the improving allodynia score (Figs. 1d and 1e, r = 0.395, p = 0.005 and r = 0.338, p = 0.017 respectively). The change in allodynia over 12 months also correlated with the change in ICP (Fig. 1e, r = 0.479, p < 0.001). There was no relationship between body mass index (BMI) and allodynia. Pressure allodynia did not change significantly between baseline and 12 months and was not associated with headache severity, MHD or ICP (Supplemental table 2). Predicting the effects of ICP on headache outcomes Analysis identified a positive association between ICP and headache severity and MHD at 12 and 24 months, with a larger change in intracranial pressure coinciding with a larger change in headache measures (Fig. 2a). The bootstrapped analysis data points (Fig. 2) represent trial outcomes, each as likely as any other. Thus the location and dispersion of the points provides evidence on the coincident nature of the change in intracranial pressure. Predictability was observed at all time points (12 and 24 months). Utilizing the surrogacy analysis plots (Fig. 2), changes in headache measures can be inferred from changes in ICP (Table 3 ) e.g. at 12 months follow up the reduction in ICP of -5 cmCSF is associated with a change in headache severity of -0.95 and a mean MHD of -3.06. Whereas a reduction in ICP of -10 cmCSF was associated with a reduction of headache severity of -1.35 and mean MHD of -4.08, at 12 months (Table 3 ). Quality of life and intracranial pressure Quality of life, as measured by SF-36 PCS and MCS were 28.7 (12.7) and 37.7 (11.0) respectively at baseline and 37.7 (14.9) and 38.9 (12.2) respectively by 12 months (Table 2 ). There was no relationship between SF-36 scores and headache severity, MHD and ICP at baseline. The improvement in the PCS was associated with improving headache severity at 12 and 24 months (Fig. 3a and 3b, r=-0.522, p < 0.001 and r=-0.356, p = 0.04, respectively). The PCS also improved in association with reduction in ICP at 12 months (r=-0.546, p < 0.001). MCS did not relate to headache or ICP. Analysis identified a positive association between ICP and PCS at 12 and 24 months (Fig. 3C). Subanalysis by treatment assignment and disease duration was not possible due to small numbers in each group. Discussion Headache is a near universal sequela of IIH, and can complicate other disorders with raised ICP. We demonstrate a positive relationship between ICP and headache severity and monthly headache days, which has not been noted previously in IIH. Patients with the greatest reduction in ICP over 12 months saw the greatest reduction in headache frequency and severity, and this was associated with improvement of physical functioning in the quality of life SF-36. We observed that the majority of patients with IIH had migraine-like headaches at baseline, as previously reported. 15 , 18 One patient was headache-free, whereas the majority described severe continuous daily headache pain associated with poor quality of life. Overall headache in patients with active IIH was of moderate pain severity, long daily duration and a mean frequency of 22 days per month, with the associated headache impacting on the individual’s quality of life. These observations are in keeping with broader patients’ views that the chronic daily headache of IIH is very disabling 6 and is already known to drive reduction in quality of life in IIH. 8 A previous randomized controlled trial in IIH 15 classified 68% with migraine or probable migraine and 26% tension-type or probable tension-type headaches. In the present study 86% reported migraine-like headaches and 70% would fulfil the criteria for a diagnosis of chronic migraine. Furthermore, 40% of participants in the present study described aura. In our cohort tension-type headaches were not common, with only one patient fulfilling the IHS criteria. 9 This may reflect differences between the types of patients recruited to the two trials, for example the IIHTT 15 participants were newly diagnosed patients, whereas the IIH:WT participants reflected a more chronic disease duration (Table 1 ). 68% of participants reported a prior diagnosis of migraine before being diagnosed with IIH, of whom over half (53%) had been diagnosed with migraine prior to the age of 18 years old and only 11% developed migraine-like headaches following the diagnosis of IIH. This portion of patients with a prior migraine history is considerably higher than that of the general population, where for example one study found the lifetime prevalence of migraine to be 29%. 19 A number of interesting observations could be postulated, for example, those with a recent diagnosis of migraine could have been initially diagnosed as migraine instead of IIH, however the portion of those with a very longstanding history of migraine are unlikely to have been misdiagnosed. Given the longevity of migraine in our cohort, some patients may have had chronic migraine before diagnosis of IIH, whereas others may have developed chronic migraine-like headaches following diagnosis. It remains unclear whether diagnosis of IIH in patients with known episodic migraine contributes towards transition to chronic migraine and if this is dependent on central sensitization. Cutaneous allodynia is reported in over half of all patients with migraine. 20 It has not typically been a feature of conditions associated with raised ICP (e.g. brain tumours or hydrocephalus). A previous study reported allodynia in 50% of IIH patients who mostly had a migraine-like headache profile. 18 In the present study 92% reported cutaneous allodynia at the maximum headache severity and although this was not associated with headache severity or frequency at baseline, change in allodynia over 12 months was associated with change in ICP. Headache management is an unmet need in this disease, with no randomised controlled trials to guide treatment options. Only 18 participants were on concurrent headache preventative therapies, whereas 40 fulfilled the criteria for chronic migraine-like headaches, leaving a large portion of patients under treated. Recently the first prospective open label study of a CGRP monoclonal receptor antibody reported substantial improvements at 3 months, which continued for up to 12 months in the reduction of monthly moderate/severe headache days. 13 This benefit was seen both in those with and without prior migraine and in those with or without prior existing medication overuse headache. 13 Topiramate, a well-known migraine preventative therapy has been evaluated in IIH in the context of the impact on vision, rather than its beneficial effects of reduction of headache disability and is used off label in routine clinical practice. 21 However consensus guidelines for IIH placed topiramate as a useful medication for management of headaches in IIH in order to avoid medicines such as beta-blockers and tricyclics that may exacerbate weight gain, a known precipitant of the disease. 1 Similar to a previous study approximately a third of participants met the diagnostic criteria for medication-overuse headache at baseline. 9 Medication-overuse headache is particularly common in patients with a background of chronic migraine, for example in the United States it has been reported in up to a quarter. However, there are many factors that influence medication-overuse headache. 22 , 23 Advising patients about appropriate usage of headache analgesics and avoidance of opiates is therefore an important part of headache management in IIH. 1 The data presented indicates a relationship between increased ICP and increased presence of migraine-type headache. Change in ICP can predict change in headache over time. In a previous randomized controlled trial of those with recent onset IIH (within 2 weeks of presentation) no correlation between headache characteristics and ICP was found over a 6 month follow-up. 15 Future studies are required to investigate this complex relationship from the acutely presenting patient to the more chronic phase of IIH headache. ICP monitoring studies may further delineate this complex relationship further. Therapies that have been shown to reduce ICP in animal models, such as GLP-1, 24 could be helpful in both reducing headache burden in conditions of raised ICP and weight management in IIH. 25 Conclusions This detailed prospective evaluation of headache in patients with IIH demonstrates a consistent relationship between headache (severity and monthly headache days) and ICP. Modelling of this relationship between headache and ICP enabled prediction of headache outcomes depending on changes in ICP over a 12 and 24 month horizon. The headache in patients with active IIH is migraine-like in the majority. IIH patients demonstrated markers of allodynia which improved with reduction in ICP. Quality of life measures improved with reduction in ICP and headache. Therapeutic strategies to improve ICP are likely to improve headache in IIH Abbreviations ASC-12=Allodynia Symptom Checklist-12; CSF=cerebrospinal fluid; HS= headache severity ICP=intracranial pressure; IIH=idiopathic intracranial hypertension; IHS=International Headache Society; LP=lumbar puncture; MHD=monthly headache days; OP=opening pressure; PCS=physical component score. Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate The trial was approved by The National Research Ethics Committee West Midlands – The Black Country, on 28 February 2014 (14/WM/0011). All participants gave written consent after receiving detailed written information. The trial was registered, clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02124486. Consent for publication All co-authors consent for publication. Availability of data and material Data will me made for reasonable requests. Competing interests SM - Royalties - Springer publishing: Neuro-Ophthalmology, Global Trends in Diagnosis, Treatment and Management; Consultancy - Invex therapeutics, Neurodiem, Honoraria - Novartis, Santen, Santhera, Allergan, Chuagi, Chiesi; Data safety/advisory boards - Roche, Janssen, Invex therapeutics. BW - Consultancy, Invex Therapeutics; Director Ceftronics Limited; Patent pending, Uk - 1907237.0. ZA – none. JM – none. RO – none. AY - fees for educational talk – TEVA. MT – none. OG – none. GL – none. KB - Consultancy, Invex Therapeutics; stock - Astrazenica, GlaxoSmithKline. AS - Honoraria - Chiesi; Safet board/advisory - Novartis; Director / Share options - Invex therapeutics. Funding This study was supported by the National Institute of Health Research UK (NIHR-CS-011-028), the Medical Research Council UK (MR/K015184/1). Authors' contributions SM – drafting manuscript, data collection and analysis; BW - drafting manuscript and analysis; ZA, data collection and analysis; JM, data collection and analysis; RO, data collection and analysis; AY, data collection and analysis; MT, data collection and analysis; OG, data collection and analysis; GL, data analysis and editing manuscript; AS, editing manuscript, study lead. Acknowledgements No additional acknowledgements. References Mollan SP, Davies B, Silver NC, et al. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension: consensus guidelines on management. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2018;89:1088­-1100. Adderley NJ, Subramanian A, Nirantharakumar K, et al. Association Between Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension and Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases in Women in the United Kingdom JAMA Neurol. 2019; 76(9):1088‐1098. Mollan SP, Aguiar M, Evison F, Frew E, Sinclair AJ. The expanding burden of idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Eye (Lond) 2019; 33: 478–485. 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Curr Opin Neurol. 2019 Feb;32(1):92-98. doi: 10.1097/WCO.0000000000000651. Mulla Y, Markey KA, Woolley RL, Patel S, Mollan SP, Sinclair AJ. Headache determines quality of life in idiopathic intracranial hypertension. J headache and pain 2015;16:521-521. Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society (IHS). The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (beta version). Cephalalgia. 2013 Jul;33(9):629-808 Yiangou A, Mitchell J, Markey KA, Scotton W, Nightingale P, Botfield H, Ottridge R, Mollan SP, Sinclair AJ. Therapeutic lumbar puncture for headache in idiopathic intracranial hypertension: Minimal gain, is it worth the pain? Cephalalgia. 2019 Feb;39(2):245-253 Yri HM, Jensen RH. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension: Clinical nosography and field-testing of the ICHD diagnostic criteria. A case-control study. Cephalalgia. 2015 Jun;35(7):553-62 Thaller M, Tsermoulas G, Sun R, Mollan SP, Sinclair AJ. Negative impact of COVID-19 lockdown on papilloedema and idiopathic intracranial hypertension. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2020 Dec 24:jnnp-2020-325519. doi: 10.1136/jnnp-2020-325519 Yiangou A, Mitchell JL, Fisher C, Edwards J, Vijay V, Alimajstorovic Z, Grech O, Lavery GG, Mollan SP, Sinclair AJ. Erenumab for headaches in idiopathic intracranial hypertension: A prospective open-label evaluation. Headache. 2020 Dec 14. doi: 10.1111/head.14026 Yiangou A, Mitchell JL, Vijay V, Grech O, Bilton E, Lavery GG, Fisher C, Edwards J, Mollan SP, Sinclair AJ. Calcitonin gene related peptide monoclonal antibody treats headache in patients with active idiopathic intracranial hypertension. J Headache Pain. 2020 Sep 25;21(1):116 Friedman DI, Quiros PA, Subramanian PS, Mejico LJ, Gao S, McDermott M, Wall M; and the NORDIC IIHTT Study Group. Headache in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: Findings From the Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Treatment Trial. Headache. 2017 Sep;57(8):1195-1205 Ottridge R, Mollan SP, Mitchell J et al. Randomised controlled trial of bariatric surgery versus a community weight loss programme for the sustained treatment of idiopathic intracranial hypertension: the Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Weight Trial (IIH:WT) protocol. BMJ Open 2017; 7(9). Hjermstad, MJ, Fayers, PM, Haugen, DF. Studies comparing Numerical Rating Scales, Verbal Rating Scales, and Visual Analogue Scales for assessment of pain intensity in adults: a systematic literature review. J Pain Symptom Manage 2011; 41: 1073–1093. Ekizoglu E, Baykan B, Orhan EK, Ertas M. The analysis of allodynia in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Cephalalgia 2012;32(14):1049-58 Schramm S, Tenhagen I, Schmidt B, Holle-Lee D, Naegel S, Katsarava Z, Jöckel KH, Moebus S. Prevalence and risk factors of migraine and non-migraine headache in older people - results of the Heinz Nixdorf Recall study. Cephalalgia. 2020 Dec 3:333102420977183. doi: 10.1177/0333102420977183. Lipton RB, Bigal ME, Ashina S, Burstein R, Silberstein S, Reed ML, Serrano D, Stewart WF., American Migraine Prevalence Prevention Advisory Group. Cutaneous allodynia in the migraine population. Ann Neurol. 2008 Feb;63(2):148-58. Celebisoy N, Gökçay F, Sirin H, Akyürekli O. Treatment of idiopathic intracranial hypertension: topiramate vs acetazolamide, an open-label study. Acta Neurol Scand. 2007 Nov;116(5):322-7. Scher AI, Lipton RB, Stewart WF, Bigal M. Patterns of medication use by chronic and episodic headache sufferers in the general population: results from the frequent headache epidemiology study. Cephalalgia. 2010 Mar;30(3):321-8 Kristoffersen ES, Lundqvist C. Medication-overuse headache: epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment. Ther Adv Drug Saf . 2014;5(2):87-99. doi:10.1177/2042098614522683 Botfield HF, Uldall MS, Westgate CSJ, et al. A glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist reduces intracranial pressure in a rat model of hydrocephalus. Sci Transl Med 2017; 9: eaan0972 Mollan SP, Tahrani. AA, Sinclair AJ. Body weight, the potentially modifiable risk factor in idiopathic intracranial hypertension, Neurology: Clinical Practice MS ID#: NEURCLINPRACT/2020/063909. In press. Supplementary Files Supplementalmethods.docx SupplementalTable1.docx SupplementalTable2.docx Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Major revision 22 Jun, 2021 Review # 1 received at journal 25 May, 2021 Reviews received at journal 11 May, 2021 Reviewer # 1 agreed at journal 10 May, 2021 Reviewers invited by journal 10 May, 2021 Editor assigned by journal 09 May, 2021 Editor invited by journal 09 May, 2021 Submission checks completed at journal 07 May, 2021 First submitted to journal 29 Apr, 2021 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-479747","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":25780227,"identity":"0ad0f33c-a015-4a08-b999-45da047f4740","order_by":0,"name":"Susan Mollan","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Susan","middleName":"","lastName":"Mollan","suffix":""},{"id":25780228,"identity":"74d3f22d-559b-4836-a6f3-1494326a6b65","order_by":1,"name":"Benjamin Wakerley","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Birmingham","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Benjamin","middleName":"","lastName":"Wakerley","suffix":""},{"id":25780229,"identity":"294aa8e9-3bdf-404a-a229-116069ad3ea7","order_by":2,"name":"Zerin Alimajstorovic","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Birmingham","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Zerin","middleName":"","lastName":"Alimajstorovic","suffix":""},{"id":25780230,"identity":"9e1638f2-749f-40f5-8175-9a4e8b8decb4","order_by":3,"name":"James Mitchell","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"James","middleName":"","lastName":"Mitchell","suffix":""},{"id":25780231,"identity":"fc659dca-fcb2-45f7-b0a0-0e51fe74f2a8","order_by":4,"name":"Ryan Ottridge","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Birmingham","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Ryan","middleName":"","lastName":"Ottridge","suffix":""},{"id":25780232,"identity":"d8720eda-ccce-4d5f-aa21-5ab9adb9a5bd","order_by":5,"name":"Andreas Yiangou","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Birmingham","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Andreas","middleName":"","lastName":"Yiangou","suffix":""},{"id":25780233,"identity":"fb0100d9-b1e6-46a9-963a-dfeab54dc583","order_by":6,"name":"Mark J Thaller","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Birmingham","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Mark","middleName":"J","lastName":"Thaller","suffix":""},{"id":25780234,"identity":"a953eae6-a9b8-4151-a411-955c888ecbe3","order_by":7,"name":"Olivia Grech","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Birmingham","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Olivia","middleName":"","lastName":"Grech","suffix":""},{"id":25780235,"identity":"0019c662-be8d-46e9-b615-60fc5a483d28","order_by":8,"name":"Gareth Lavery","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Birmingham","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Gareth","middleName":"","lastName":"Lavery","suffix":""},{"id":25780236,"identity":"cf1042a1-e02d-42a1-a1f9-91e12d4f9417","order_by":9,"name":"Kristian Brock","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Birmingham","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Kristian","middleName":"","lastName":"Brock","suffix":""},{"id":25780237,"identity":"7fe094db-29b8-417f-bd1c-7e40274b8ce1","order_by":10,"name":"Alexandra Sinclair","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA/klEQVRIie3RvWrDMBDA8TsEzqLYq6b4CQoygUCHkFeRCaRLA4VC6WgwXKc8QOhTZBEZVW7IEvoEWUwhs0uhuNCh8tCpKMnYQX/QIvhx+gCIxf5l0i8NkAJW8F65321zniSe4PpyAj0BEMNLSFYNHXZ3hzwZMH1Mt4f8qhJNi7QIEuVSI6Q+FiTL+nm5PxbWJWOFdBs+l5NagGaTQFmLJTFaBxNAegyK3BPsepI1tbgmnlk3+DxJtCcge6L8FCQurZP9lPDBCk4Ne1KQampc7XluWd4r8xq+/mi3emm6b86z7OYNvrY8tbunTds+zMPXF/4F/uyc/MhYLBaLne8HhkhS6dercrwAAAAASUVORK5CYII=","orcid":"","institution":"University of Birmingham","correspondingAuthor":true,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Alexandra","middleName":"","lastName":"Sinclair","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2021-04-30 14:24:42","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-479747/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-479747/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":9023148,"identity":"fc61a5fc-26de-4287-ac73-12684fcac341","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2021-05-10 22:40:52","extension":"jpg","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":104920,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"Relationship of ICP to headache and Relationship between cutaneous allodynia and ICP","description":"","filename":"Figure12.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-479747/v1/88dd4d0ad46a43b28bb8a811.jpg"},{"id":9023020,"identity":"eb22b43f-debf-48e9-bdd3-ef0f4f15b472","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2021-05-10 22:37:53","extension":"jpg","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":79976,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"The bootstrapped analysis data points represent trial outcomes, each as likely as any other. ","description":"","filename":"Figure22.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-479747/v1/37de7b73ee4ccbfd2bb17eb5.jpg"},{"id":9023016,"identity":"8f2c9def-bb6f-4607-bcaf-8b78c278ee92","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2021-05-10 22:37:52","extension":"jpg","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":76190,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"Quality of life and intracranial pressure ","description":"","filename":"Figure32.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-479747/v1/be5cf75d709ac7aa540f5e22.jpg"},{"id":13692199,"identity":"de345ddf-cba5-4689-9229-562b7657ecee","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2021-09-17 12:42:12","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":595885,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-479747/v1/3df9b13a-8782-4db6-8f7d-292347acb256.pdf"},{"id":9023150,"identity":"81c847bc-464e-4cf0-8070-bf80f674efd5","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2021-05-10 22:40:52","extension":"docx","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":17163,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Supplementalmethods.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-479747/v1/085ad5c6784884b2c7fb454b.docx"},{"id":9023149,"identity":"b3bcece6-2462-4425-a841-d88f981a1629","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2021-05-10 22:40:52","extension":"docx","order_by":2,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":17796,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"SupplementalTable1.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-479747/v1/38b79828ac43dc655e74d317.docx"},{"id":9023151,"identity":"17393dc7-07b8-4067-bf11-9d81e71a1b41","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2021-05-10 22:40:52","extension":"docx","order_by":3,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":17997,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"SupplementalTable2.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-479747/v1/f97463a9e4cee285895f4d03.docx"}],"financialInterests":"","formattedTitle":"\u003cp\u003eIntracranial Pressure Directly Predicts Headache Morbidity in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension\u003c/p\u003e","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eIdiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a rare disease that is increasingly recognised.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e It is characterized by raised intracranial pressure (ICP) in the absence of a structural cause on brain imaging.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e Although the exact cause of IIH remains unknown, disease development is associated with obesity and there is increasing evidence to suggest adipose dysfunction.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e Headache is the predominant symptom and is prioritized highly by patients and physicians.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e The headache in IIH remains under-characterized\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e and is associated with significant morbidity and reduced quality of life.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3 beta) attributes headache in IIH to be associated with raised intracranial pressure and acknowledges that it often mimics primary headache disorders such as migraine.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e While the International Headache Society stipulates the importance on relief of headache following removal of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), evidence suggests this relief is far from universal\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e and can occur in other headache conditions such as migraine.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e Rarely some patients with evidence of raised ICP do not ever develop headache.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e The pathogenesis of IIH headache remains unknown, as do the risk factors that propagate persistent headache. Calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) monoclonal antibodies have been noted in a prospective study to significantly improve headache in patients with IIH and persistent post-IIH headache (resolved papilloedema), suggesting CGRP may modulate headache pain.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe relationship between development of headache and raised ICP in IIH is poorly understood. A previous trial in 165 patients with newly diagnosed IIH\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e did not identify an association between intracranial pressure and headache. However, a question remains as to whether the role of ICP in driving ongoing headache in patients with chronic headache.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe aim of this analysis was to describe the headache characteristics in those with active IIH recruited to the multicentre IIH Weight Trial (IIH:WT), and to explore the relationship of headache features to ICP.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eStudy Procedures\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBetween July 25, 2014 and May 25, 2017, 66 female patients were recruited to the multicentre randomised controlled trial IIH:WT, comparing the efficacy of a bariatric surgery pathway versus the dietary intervention Weight Watchers\u0026trade;. All participants had active IIH with papilloedema and lumbar puncture opening pressures\u0026thinsp;\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;25cm cerebrospinal fluid, in accordance with agreed criteria for diagnosis of IIH.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e The protocol and eligibility criteria have been previously published.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt baseline a detailed clinical, medication and standardized headache history was taken (including the location, character, associated symptoms, timing and exacerbating / relieving factors) by a physician with specialist training in headache phenotyping. Headache preventatives were permitted during the study, but any changes were recorded. As part of the trial anthropometric data including weight and height were recorded, and a lumbar puncture was performed. Headaches were characterized using ICHD-3beta criteria for primary and secondary headache disorders.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt baseline, 12 and 24 months all IIH patients were required to return a headache diary which included details of headache severity; headache duration; headache frequency (monthly headache days); and analgesic use (days per month). The headache severity was scored using a numerical rating scale (NRS) ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (the most severe pain level experienced by the subject). The NRS is favoured by patients and widely used in migraine trials.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCutaneous allodynia symptoms were assessed during a headache using the patient-completed Allodynia Symptom Checklist-12 (ASC-12) in the week prior to their baseline and 12 month visit. Score ranges from 0\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;no symptoms to 24\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;severe symptoms; 0\u0026ndash;2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;no allodynia, 3\u0026ndash;5\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;mild allodynia, 6\u0026ndash;8\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;moderate allodynia, 9 or more\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;severe allodynia (supplemental methods). In addition, pressure allodynia was assessed in patients at baseline and at 12 months using three different weights of von Frey hairs (F1, 0.32g; F2, 8.30g; and F3, 24g).\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e Patients rated pressure allodynia using a 100mm visual analogue scale.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOutcome measures included the headache impact test-6 disability questionnaire (HIT-6); where little or no impact\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;HIT-6 score\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;49; some impact\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;HIT-6 score 50\u0026ndash;55; substantial impact\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;HIT-6 score 56\u0026ndash;59; severe impact\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;HIT-6 score\u0026thinsp;\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;60. Health-related quality of life was assessed using the Rand patient-reported 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). The eight sections of the SF-36 yielded two summary scores (physical component summary, PCS; and mental component summary, MCS).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eStatistical analysis\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDescriptive statistics were used to compare demographic characteristics. Analysis by trial arm was not part of the aims of the study. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad, version 8.3 (GraphPad Software, La Jolla, California, USA). Mean and standard deviations are provided for normally distributed variables, and median and range provided for non-normally distributed variables. Pearson\u0026rsquo;s correlation coefficient was computed where the variables were normally distributed and all assumptions were met, with Spearman\u0026rsquo;s rank correlation used in other cases. Values were deemed statistically significant at \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05. Missing data, due to any absence or choice, were excluded from the analysis and not imputed.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHierarchical regression models were generated, with data for all patients analysed in one model. Models contained population-level terms (i.e. terms that apply to each experimental unit) to reflect: 1) the mean baseline value (i.e. the intercept); 2) the mean change from baseline associated with each assessment time (i.e. time as a factor variable); 3) the extra mean change from baseline associated with each assessment time in the experimental arm (i.e. the interaction of treatment allocation and time as a factor variable). Additionally, hierarchical regression models contained random effects (i.e. terms that are specific to each experimental unit) to reflect the random deviations from the population-level mean value at baseline (i.e. random intercepts). For ICP, the random intercepts were estimated for each patient, with each of these parameters assumed to be exchangeable draws from a normal distribution.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo assess the relationship between ICP and headache, we have bootstrap resampling of the observed outcomes to generate alternative pairs of treatment effects. Alternative datasets were generated by resampling patients with replacement from the original treatment allocations to which they were randomised. The hierarchical regression model described above was fitted to each resampled dataset, producing a pair of treatment effects for the surrogate and clinical outcomes from a notional randomisation of patients. This process was repeated 1000 times. The resampled datasets within in each arm in each trial were the same size as the original datasets.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec5\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eStandard protocol approvals, registration, and patient consent\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe trial was approved by The National Research Ethics Committee West Midlands \u0026ndash; The Black Country, on 28 February 2014 (14/WM/0011). All participants gave written consent after receiving detailed written information. The trial was registered, clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02124486.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eData availability statement\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnonymised individual participant data will be made available along with the trial protocol and statistical analysis plan. Proposals should be made to the corresponding author and will be reviewed by the Birmingham Clinical Trials Unit Data Sharing Committee in discussion with the Chief Investigator. A formal Data Sharing Agreement may be required between respective organisations once release of the data is approved and before data can be released.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eClassification of evidence\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis work provides Class IIa evidence that headache is associated with intracranial pressure.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec9\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePatient Characteristics\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSixty-six persons (100% women) with active IIH were included in the analysis (Table \u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). Mean age at inclusion was 32.0 years (SD\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.8, range 20\u0026ndash;53 years), and the mean body mass index was 43.9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.0 kg/m\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e ranging from 35.3 to 63.3 kg/m\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e. The median IIH disease duration was 1.1 years (IQR 0.5\u0026ndash;2.6) and ranging from 0.1 to 20.0 years. Forty-five participants (68%) reported a previous history of migraine, of which 24 (53%) reported onset in childhood (age\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;18 years).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\n\u003ctable id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCharacteristics of the study cohort at baseline\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/caption\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTotal (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;66)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAge in years, mean (SD)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e32 (7.8)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEthnicity, number (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhite\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e55 (83)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMixed\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5(8)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAsian\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1(1)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlack\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5 (8)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuration of IIH diagnosis, median (IQR)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.1 (0.5\u0026ndash;2.6)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNumber on acetazolamide (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e19 (29)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNumber on topiramate (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e6 (9)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLumbar puncture opening pressure, cmCSF, mean (SD)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e35.5 (7.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeight, Kg (SD)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e118.5 (21.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBody Mass Index (weight (kg)/ height (m\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e), mean (SD)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e43.9 (7.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmoking status - smoker\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003en\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;27\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmoking intensity of 10 or more cigarettes per day, n (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e18 (67)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFamily history of primary headache disorder, %\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e19 (7/37)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrevious history of migraine, n (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e45 (68)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuration of migraine, n (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003en\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;45\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLess than 1 year\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5 (11)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1\u0026ndash;5 years\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e7 (16)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5\u0026ndash;10 years\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5 (11)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e10\u0026ndash;20 years\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3 (7)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore than 20 years\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 (2)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince childhood (age\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;18 years)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e24 (53)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeadache preventative medication use, n (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003en\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;18\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeta-blocker\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 (6)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTricyclic antidepressant\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e7 (39)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnticonvulsant\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e8 (44)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2 (11)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec10\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHeadache characteristics at baseline\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWithin this cohort 65 participants (98%) reported headache at the time of their IIH diagnosis. At the time of the baseline assessment 63 (95%) reported headache. The headache phenotype was migraine-like in 57 (86%) and of those, 23 (40%) described migraine aura. Of those with migraine-like headaches 40 (70%) had a phenotype consistent with chronic migraine-like headaches (\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;15 headache days per month of which\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;8 are migraine-like), while 17 (30%) had episodic migraine-like headaches (less than 15 migraine-like headache days per month).\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e At the time of study assessment, 44 (67%) had headache, which fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for headaches attributed to IIH. 23 (35%) patients fulfilled the criteria for medication-overuse headaches. There was one patient who had headaches not attributable to either migraine-like or attributable to IIH, and had tension-type headache.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeadache location was predominately bilateral 76%; with fewer reporting unilateral pain, 20% being on the right side and 18% being on the left side (note these were not mutually exclusive responses, Supplemental Table\u0026nbsp;1). Headache pain was typically throbbing 73%, but also a pressure sensation 55% and less commonly stabbing 11% or shooting 7%. Photophobia and phonophobia were described in 81% and 60%, respectively, with fewer (19%) describing osmophobia. 70% described nausea and 18% experienced vomiting with their headache attacks. Dizziness was reported in 33%. Headaches on waking were reported in 12%. Autonomic features were rarely reported 5%. Pulsatile tinnitus was a feature in 74%. Headaches were exacerbated by physical activity in 53%; by lying flat in 32%; on bending 31%; and on Valsalva manoeuvre in 23%. (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\n\u003ctable id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOutcome measures, headache phenotype and ictal cutaneous allodynia at baseline\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/caption\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeadache at baseline, n (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e63 (95%)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeadache severity, verbal rating scale (0\u0026ndash;10), mean (SD)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5.0 (2.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeadache duration (hours), mean (SD)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e8.2 (6.3)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeadache frequency (days per month), mean (SD)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e22.2 (7.8)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnalgesic use (days per month), mean (SD)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e12.3 (9.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHIT-6 score, mean (SD)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e65 (7.3)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSF-36, physical component score, mean (SD) n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;60\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e28.7 (12.7)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSF-36, mental component score, mean (SD) n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;60\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e37.7 (11.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeadache phenotypes (not mutually exclusive), n (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003en\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;66\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo headache\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 (2%)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMigraine-like\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e57 (86%)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMigraine-like without aura\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e34 (60%)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMigraine-like with aura\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e23 (40%)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChronic migraine-like\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40 (70%)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEpisodic migraine-like\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e17 (30%)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeadache attributed to IIH\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e44 (67%)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedication-overuse\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e23 (35%)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTension-like\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 (2%)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCutaneous allodynia (ictal), mean (SD), n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;58\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e19.16 (5.79)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNone (0\u0026ndash;2)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0 (0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMild (3\u0026ndash;5)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0 (0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eModerate (6\u0026ndash;8)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2 (3.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSevere (9+)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e56 (96.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\n\u003ctable id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePredicting changes in headache severity and monthly headache days from changes in intracranial pressure\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/caption\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTime\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(months)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChange in intracranial pressure\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(cmH\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e0)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChange in mean headache severity\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(95% confidence interval)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChange in mean MHD\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(95% confidence interval)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e12\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-5\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026minus;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.95 (-2.61, 0.68)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026minus;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-3.06 (-9.61, 2.91)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e12\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-10\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026minus;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-1.35 (-2.70, 0.10)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026minus;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-4.08 (-9.56, 2.80)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e24\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-5\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026minus;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.43 (-1.18, 1.96)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026minus;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-5.32 (-11.5, 1.35)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e24\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-10\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026minus;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.19 (-1.94, 1.61)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026minus;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-6.17 (-13.3, 0.79)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHeadache burden\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeadache disability, as measured by the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) questionnaire, had a mean score of 65 (SD\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.3) at baseline. Mean headache severity was 5.0 (SD\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.0) and mean daily duration of headache was 8.2 hours (SD\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.3). Monthly headache days were mean 22.2 days (SD\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.8) and mean monthly analgesic use was 12.3 days (9.0).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy 12 months 76% of participants reported ongoing headache. The mean headache severity had improved (3.6 (SD\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.9), with a concurrent reduction in the headache frequency (monthly headache days 15.1 (SD\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;11.5)) and monthly analgesic use (8.6 (SD\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;9.8)). No parameter reached statistical significance.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMedications at baseline\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt baseline 38% participants were receiving medication specifically to lower ICP. This included 29% receiving Acetazolamide, and 9% Topiramate. 5% of participants were receiving diuretics (Bendroflumethiazide, n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1; Furosemide, n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1; and Co-amilofruse, n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1). 27% of participants were receiving medication for prevention of headache (migraine and/or tension-type headache) (beta blocker, n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1; tricyclic antidepressant, n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;7; anticonvulsant, n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;8; other, n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;2) (Table \u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eRelationship of ICP to headache\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe whole cohort mean lumbar puncture opening pressure (LP OP) at baseline was 34.7cmCSF (SD 5.7) which reduced to 28.95 (SD 7.7) and 26.8 (SD 8.0) by 12 and 24 months respectively. Headache severity at baseline correlated with ICP (Fig.\u0026nbsp;1a, r\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.285, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.024) although the monthly headache days did not. The reduction in ICP over 12 months correlated with the reduction in headache severity and monthly headache days (MHD) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;1b and 1c, r\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.454, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.001 and r\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.419, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.002 respectively). This relationship continued at 24 months but did not reach statistical significance.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eRelationship between cutaneous allodynia and ICP\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt baseline 58/63 (92%) reported ictal cutaneous allodynia with a mean cutaneous allodynia score of 19.2 (SD\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.79) and reducing at 12 months to a mean of 17.1 (SD\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.20) (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.01). There was no relationship between the allodynia score and headache severity and MHD at baseline. By 12 month MHD correlated with the allodynia score (r\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.331, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.015). The change in MHD and headache severity over 12 months correlated with the improving allodynia score (Figs.\u0026nbsp;1d and 1e, r\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.395, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.005 and r\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.338, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.017 respectively). The change in allodynia over 12 months also correlated with the change in ICP (Fig.\u0026nbsp;1e, r\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.479, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001). There was no relationship between body mass index (BMI) and allodynia. Pressure allodynia did not change significantly between baseline and 12 months and was not associated with headache severity, MHD or ICP (Supplemental table 2).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec15\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePredicting the effects of ICP on headache outcomes\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnalysis identified a positive association between ICP and headache severity and MHD at 12 and 24 months, with a larger change in intracranial pressure coinciding with a larger change in headache measures (Fig.\u0026nbsp;2a). The bootstrapped analysis data points (Fig.\u0026nbsp;2) represent trial outcomes, each as likely as any other. Thus the location and dispersion of the points provides evidence on the coincident nature of the change in intracranial pressure. Predictability was observed at all time points (12 and 24 months). Utilizing the surrogacy analysis plots (Fig.\u0026nbsp;2), changes in headache measures can be inferred from changes in ICP (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e) e.g. at 12 months follow up the reduction in ICP of -5 cmCSF is associated with a change in headache severity of -0.95 and a mean MHD of -3.06. Whereas a reduction in ICP of -10 cmCSF was associated with a reduction of headache severity of -1.35 and mean MHD of -4.08, at 12 months (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec16\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eQuality of life and intracranial pressure\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuality of life, as measured by SF-36 PCS and MCS were 28.7 (12.7) and 37.7 (11.0) respectively at baseline and 37.7 (14.9) and 38.9 (12.2) respectively by 12 months (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). There was no relationship between SF-36 scores and headache severity, MHD and ICP at baseline. The improvement in the PCS was associated with improving headache severity at 12 and 24 months (Fig.\u0026nbsp;3a and 3b, r=-0.522, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001 and r=-0.356, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.04, respectively). The PCS also improved in association with reduction in ICP at 12 months (r=-0.546, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001). MCS did not relate to headache or ICP. Analysis identified a positive association between ICP and PCS at 12 and 24 months (Fig.\u0026nbsp;3C).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSubanalysis by treatment assignment and disease duration was not possible due to small numbers in each group.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":" \u003cp\u003eHeadache is a near universal sequela of IIH, and can complicate other disorders with raised ICP. We demonstrate a positive relationship between ICP and headache severity and monthly headache days, which has not been noted previously in IIH. Patients with the greatest reduction in ICP over 12 months saw the greatest reduction in headache frequency and severity, and this was associated with improvement of physical functioning in the quality of life SF-36.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWe observed that the majority of patients with IIH had migraine-like headaches at baseline, as previously reported.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e One patient was headache-free, whereas the majority described severe continuous daily headache pain associated with poor quality of life. Overall headache in patients with active IIH was of moderate pain severity, long daily duration and a mean frequency of 22 days per month, with the associated headache impacting on the individual\u0026rsquo;s quality of life. These observations are in keeping with broader patients\u0026rsquo; views that the chronic daily headache of IIH is very disabling\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e and is already known to drive reduction in quality of life in IIH.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA previous randomized controlled trial in IIH\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e classified 68% with migraine or probable migraine and 26% tension-type or probable tension-type headaches. In the present study 86% reported migraine-like headaches and 70% would fulfil the criteria for a diagnosis of chronic migraine. Furthermore, 40% of participants in the present study described aura. In our cohort tension-type headaches were not common, with only one patient fulfilling the IHS criteria.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e This may reflect differences between the types of patients recruited to the two trials, for example the IIHTT\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e participants were newly diagnosed patients, whereas the IIH:WT participants reflected a more chronic disease duration (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e68% of participants reported a prior diagnosis of migraine before being diagnosed with IIH, of whom over half (53%) had been diagnosed with migraine prior to the age of 18 years old and only 11% developed migraine-like headaches following the diagnosis of IIH. This portion of patients with a prior migraine history is considerably higher than that of the general population, where for example one study found the lifetime prevalence of migraine to be 29%.\u003csup\u003e19\u003c/sup\u003e A number of interesting observations could be postulated, for example, those with a recent diagnosis of migraine could have been initially diagnosed as migraine instead of IIH, however the portion of those with a very longstanding history of migraine are unlikely to have been misdiagnosed. Given the longevity of migraine in our cohort, some patients may have had chronic migraine before diagnosis of IIH, whereas others may have developed chronic migraine-like headaches following diagnosis. It remains unclear whether diagnosis of IIH in patients with known episodic migraine contributes towards transition to chronic migraine and if this is dependent on central sensitization.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCutaneous allodynia is reported in over half of all patients with migraine.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e It has not typically been a feature of conditions associated with raised ICP (e.g. brain tumours or hydrocephalus). A previous study reported allodynia in 50% of IIH patients who mostly had a migraine-like headache profile.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e In the present study 92% reported cutaneous allodynia at the maximum headache severity and although this was not associated with headache severity or frequency at baseline, change in allodynia over 12 months was associated with change in ICP.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHeadache management is an unmet need in this disease, with no randomised controlled trials to guide treatment options. Only 18 participants were on concurrent headache preventative therapies, whereas 40 fulfilled the criteria for chronic migraine-like headaches, leaving a large portion of patients under treated. Recently the first prospective open label study of a CGRP monoclonal receptor antibody reported substantial improvements at 3 months, which continued for up to 12 months in the reduction of monthly moderate/severe headache days.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e This benefit was seen both in those with and without prior migraine and in those with or without prior existing medication overuse headache.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e Topiramate, a well-known migraine preventative therapy has been evaluated in IIH in the context of the impact on vision, rather than its beneficial effects of reduction of headache disability and is used off label in routine clinical practice.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e However consensus guidelines for IIH placed topiramate as a useful medication for management of headaches in IIH in order to avoid medicines such as beta-blockers and tricyclics that may exacerbate weight gain, a known precipitant of the disease.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSimilar to a previous study approximately a third of participants met the diagnostic criteria for medication-overuse headache at baseline.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e Medication-overuse headache is particularly common in patients with a background of chronic migraine, for example in the United States it has been reported in up to a quarter. However, there are many factors that influence medication-overuse headache.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e Advising patients about appropriate usage of headache analgesics and avoidance of opiates is therefore an important part of headache management in IIH.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe data presented indicates a relationship between increased ICP and increased presence of migraine-type headache. Change in ICP can predict change in headache over time. In a previous randomized controlled trial of those with recent onset IIH (within 2 weeks of presentation) no correlation between headache characteristics and ICP was found over a 6 month follow-up.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e Future studies are required to investigate this complex relationship from the acutely presenting patient to the more chronic phase of IIH headache. ICP monitoring studies may further delineate this complex relationship further. Therapies that have been shown to reduce ICP in animal models, such as GLP-1,\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e could be helpful in both reducing headache burden in conditions of raised ICP and weight management in IIH.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e "},{"header":"Conclusions","content":" \u003cp\u003eThis detailed prospective evaluation of headache in patients with IIH demonstrates a consistent relationship between headache (severity and monthly headache days) and ICP. Modelling of this relationship between headache and ICP enabled prediction of headache outcomes depending on changes in ICP over a 12 and 24 month horizon. The headache in patients with active IIH is migraine-like in the majority. IIH patients demonstrated markers of allodynia which improved with reduction in ICP. Quality of life measures improved with reduction in ICP and headache. Therapeutic strategies to improve ICP are likely to improve headache in IIH\u003c/p\u003e "},{"header":"Abbreviations","content":"\u003cp\u003eASC-12=Allodynia Symptom Checklist-12;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCSF=cerebrospinal fluid;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHS= headache severity\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eICP=intracranial pressure;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIIH=idiopathic intracranial hypertension;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIHS=International Headache Society;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLP=lumbar puncture;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMHD=monthly headache days;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOP=opening pressure;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePCS=physical component score.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics approval and consent to participate\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe trial was approved by The National Research Ethics Committee West Midlands \u0026ndash; The Black Country, on 28 February 2014 (14/WM/0011). All participants gave written consent after receiving detailed written information. The trial was registered, clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02124486.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent for publication\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll co-authors consent for publication.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability of data and material\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eData will me made for reasonable requests.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompeting interests\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSM - Royalties - Springer publishing: Neuro-Ophthalmology, Global Trends in Diagnosis, Treatment and Management; Consultancy - Invex therapeutics, Neurodiem, Honoraria - Novartis, Santen, Santhera, Allergan, Chuagi, Chiesi; Data safety/advisory boards - Roche, Janssen, Invex therapeutics. BW - Consultancy, Invex Therapeutics; Director Ceftronics Limited; Patent pending, Uk - 1907237.0. ZA \u0026ndash; none. JM \u0026ndash; none. RO \u0026ndash; none. AY - fees for educational talk \u0026ndash; TEVA. MT \u0026ndash; none. OG \u0026ndash; none. GL \u0026ndash; none. KB - Consultancy, Invex Therapeutics; stock - Astrazenica, GlaxoSmithKline. AS - Honoraria - Chiesi; Safet board/advisory - Novartis; Director / Share options - Invex therapeutics.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study was supported by the National Institute of Health Research UK (NIHR-CS-011-028), the Medical Research Council UK (MR/K015184/1).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors' contributions\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSM \u0026ndash; drafting manuscript, data collection and analysis; BW - drafting manuscript and analysis; ZA, data collection and analysis; JM, data collection and analysis; RO, data collection and analysis; AY, data collection and analysis; MT, data collection and analysis; OG, data collection and analysis; GL, data analysis and editing manuscript; AS, editing manuscript, study lead.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgements\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo additional acknowledgements.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMollan SP, Davies B, Silver NC, et al. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension: consensus guidelines on management. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2018;89:1088\u0026shy;-1100.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdderley NJ, Subramanian A, Nirantharakumar K, et al. Association Between Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension and Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases in Women in the United Kingdom JAMA Neurol. 2019; 76(9):1088‐1098.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMollan SP, Aguiar M, Evison F, Frew E, Sinclair AJ. The expanding burden of idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Eye (Lond) 2019; 33: 478\u0026ndash;485.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFriedman DI, Liu GT, Digre KB. Revised diagnostic criteria for the pseudotumor cerebri syndrome in adults and children. Neurology. 2013;81(13):1159-65\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWestgate CS, Botfield HF, Alimajstorovic Z, Yiangou A, Walsh M, Smith G, Singhal R, Mitchell JL, Grech O, Markey KA, Hebenstreit D, Tennant DA, Tomlinson JW, Mollan SP, Ludwig C, Akerman I, Lavery GG, Sinclair AJ. Systemic and adipocyte transcriptional and metabolic dysregulation in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension. JCI Insight. 2021 Apr 13:145346. doi: 10.1172/jci.insight.145346. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33848268.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMollan S, Hemmings K, Herd CP, Denton A, Williamson S, Sinclair AJ: What are the research priorities for idiopathic intracranial hypertension? A priority setting partnership between patients and healthcare professionals. BMJ Open 2019, 9(3):e026573.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMollan SP, Hoffmann J, Sinclair AJ. Advances in the understanding of headache in idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Curr Opin Neurol. 2019 Feb;32(1):92-98. doi: 10.1097/WCO.0000000000000651.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulla Y, Markey KA, Woolley RL, Patel S, Mollan SP, Sinclair AJ. Headache determines quality of life in idiopathic intracranial hypertension. J headache and pain 2015;16:521-521.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHeadache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society (IHS). The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (beta version). Cephalalgia. 2013 Jul;33(9):629-808\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYiangou A, Mitchell J, Markey KA, Scotton W, Nightingale P, Botfield H, Ottridge R, Mollan SP, Sinclair AJ. Therapeutic lumbar puncture for headache in idiopathic intracranial hypertension: Minimal gain, is it worth the pain? Cephalalgia. 2019 Feb;39(2):245-253\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYri HM, Jensen RH. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension: Clinical nosography and field-testing of the ICHD diagnostic criteria. A case-control study. Cephalalgia. 2015 Jun;35(7):553-62\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThaller M, Tsermoulas G, Sun R, Mollan SP, Sinclair AJ. Negative impact of COVID-19 lockdown on papilloedema and idiopathic intracranial hypertension. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2020 Dec 24:jnnp-2020-325519. doi: 10.1136/jnnp-2020-325519\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYiangou A, Mitchell JL, Fisher C, Edwards J, Vijay V, Alimajstorovic Z, Grech O, Lavery GG, Mollan SP, Sinclair AJ. Erenumab for headaches in idiopathic intracranial hypertension: A prospective open-label evaluation. Headache. 2020 Dec 14. doi: 10.1111/head.14026\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYiangou A, Mitchell JL, Vijay V, Grech O, Bilton E, Lavery GG, Fisher C, Edwards J, Mollan SP, Sinclair AJ. Calcitonin gene related peptide monoclonal antibody treats headache in patients with active idiopathic intracranial hypertension. J Headache Pain. 2020 Sep 25;21(1):116\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFriedman DI, Quiros PA, Subramanian PS, Mejico LJ, Gao S, McDermott M, Wall M; and the NORDIC IIHTT Study Group. Headache in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: Findings From the Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Treatment Trial. Headache. 2017 Sep;57(8):1195-1205\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOttridge R, Mollan SP, Mitchell J et al. Randomised controlled trial of bariatric surgery versus a community weight loss programme for the sustained treatment of idiopathic intracranial hypertension: the Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Weight Trial (IIH:WT) protocol. BMJ Open 2017; 7(9).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHjermstad, MJ, Fayers, PM, Haugen, DF. Studies comparing Numerical Rating Scales, Verbal Rating Scales, and Visual Analogue Scales for assessment of pain intensity in adults: a systematic literature review. J Pain Symptom Manage 2011; 41: 1073\u0026ndash;1093.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEkizoglu E, Baykan B, Orhan EK, Ertas M. The analysis of allodynia in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Cephalalgia 2012;32(14):1049-58\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSchramm S, Tenhagen I, Schmidt B, Holle-Lee D, Naegel S, Katsarava Z, J\u0026ouml;ckel KH, Moebus S. Prevalence and risk factors of migraine and non-migraine headache in older people - results of the Heinz Nixdorf Recall study. Cephalalgia. 2020 Dec 3:333102420977183. doi: 10.1177/0333102420977183.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLipton RB, Bigal ME, Ashina S, Burstein R, Silberstein S, Reed ML, Serrano D, Stewart WF., American Migraine Prevalence Prevention Advisory Group. Cutaneous allodynia in the migraine population. Ann Neurol. 2008 Feb;63(2):148-58.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCelebisoy N, G\u0026ouml;k\u0026ccedil;ay F, Sirin H, Aky\u0026uuml;rekli O. Treatment of idiopathic intracranial hypertension: topiramate vs acetazolamide, an open-label study. Acta Neurol Scand. 2007 Nov;116(5):322-7.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eScher AI, Lipton RB, Stewart WF, Bigal M. Patterns of medication use by chronic and episodic headache sufferers in the general population: results from the frequent headache epidemiology study. Cephalalgia. 2010 Mar;30(3):321-8\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKristoffersen ES, Lundqvist C. Medication-overuse headache: epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment.\u0026nbsp;\u003cem\u003eTher Adv Drug Saf\u003c/em\u003e. 2014;5(2):87-99. doi:10.1177/2042098614522683\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBotfield HF, Uldall MS, Westgate CSJ, et al. A glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist reduces intracranial pressure in a rat model of hydrocephalus.\u0026nbsp;Sci Transl Med 2017; 9: eaan0972\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMollan SP, Tahrani. AA, Sinclair AJ. Body weight, the potentially modifiable risk factor in idiopathic intracranial hypertension, Neurology: Clinical Practice MS ID#: NEURCLINPRACT/2020/063909. \u003cem\u003eIn press.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":true,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"the-journal-of-headache-and-pain","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"tjhp","sideBox":"Learn more about [The Journal of Headache and Pain](https://thejournalofheadacheandpain.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"10194","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/10194/3","title":"The Journal of Headache and Pain","twitterHandle":"@BioMedCentral","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC/SO AJ","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Idiopathic intracranial hypertension, migraine, intracranial pressure, allodynia, calcitonin gene related peptide","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-479747/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-479747/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eObjective: \u003c/strong\u003eHeadache is the predominant disabler in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). The aim was to characterise headache and investigate the association with intracranial pressure.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethods: \u003c/strong\u003eIIH:WT was a randomised controlled parallel group multicentre trial in the United Kingdom investigating weight management methods in IIH.\u0026nbsp;Participants with active IIH (evidenced by papilloedema) and a body mass index (BMI) ≥35kg/m\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e were recruited. At baseline, 12 months and 24 months headache characteristics and quality of life outcome measures were collected and lumbar puncture measurements were performed.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResults: \u003c/strong\u003eSixty-six women with active IIH were included with a mean age of 32.0 years (SD ±\u0026nbsp;7.8), and mean body mass index of 43.9 ± 7.0 kg/m\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e. The headache phenotype was migraine-like in 86%.\u0026nbsp;Headache severity correlated with ICP at baseline (r=0.285; p=0.024); change in headache severity and monthly headache days correlated with change in ICP at 12 months (r=0.454, p=0.001 and r=0.419, p=0.002 respectively).\u0026nbsp;Cutaneous allodynia was significantly correlated with ICP at 12 months. (r=0.479, p\u0026lt;0.001).\u0026nbsp;Boot strap analysis noted a positive association between ICP at 12 and 24 months and enabled prediction of both change in headache severity and monthly headache days.\u0026nbsp;ICP was associated with significant improvements in quality of life (SF-36).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConclusions:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eWe demonstrate a positive relationship between ICP and headache and cutaneous allodynia, which has not been previously reported in IIH. Those with the greatest reduction in ICP over 12 months had the greatest reduction in headache frequency and severity; this was associated with improvement of quality of life measures.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClassification of evidence: \u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;This work provides Class IIa evidence of the association of raised intracranial pressure and headache. ClinicalTrials.gov number,\u0026nbsp;NCT02124486.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Intracranial Pressure Directly Predicts Headache Morbidity in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2021-05-10 22:37:51","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-479747/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Major revision","date":"2021-06-22T22:34:28+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2021-05-26T00:00:00+00:00","index":1,"fulltext":"Recommendation: Reviewer's comments unavailable due to the journal's policy.\n"},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2021-05-11T17:55:00+00:00","index":0,"fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"","date":"2021-05-11T00:00:00+00:00","index":1,"fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2021-05-10T10:01:00+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2021-05-10T03:48:00+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2021-05-09T23:00:00+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2021-05-07T17:33:40+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"The Journal of Headache and Pain","date":"2021-04-29T06:39:41+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"the-journal-of-headache-and-pain","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"tjhp","sideBox":"Learn more about [The Journal of Headache and Pain](https://thejournalofheadacheandpain.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"10194","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/10194/3","title":"The Journal of Headache and Pain","twitterHandle":"@BioMedCentral","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC/SO AJ","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"35fad719-ce45-47b9-ab16-146abaf9a2c0","owner":[],"postedDate":"May 10th, 2021","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[{"id":4212688,"name":"Neurology"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2021-09-01T23:26:47+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2021-05-10 22:37:51","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-479747","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-479747","identity":"rs-479747","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"WrCJVZZCHTDjtuVLN7oU0","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}

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