Clinical features and outcomes of new daily persistent headache in patients in China and comparison with medication-overuse headache: A double-center retrospective study

Abstract Background: This study examined the clinical features and outcomes of NDPH patients and comparison with medication-overuse headache (MOH) in mainland China.Methods: This retrospective study observed patients with NDPH and medication-overuse headache (MOH) visiting two outpatient clinics between November 2011 and December 2019. Clinical information was collected and all patients were followed by telephone.Results: The study recruited 73 NDPH and 638 MOH patients. The NDPH patients included 39 males (53.4%) and 34 females (46.6%), with an average age of 37.4 years and average headache duration of 10.6 years. Headache-precipitating factors included infection (15.1%) and stress (30.1%). Compared to MOH patients, NDPH patients had a male predominance (53.4% vs. 22.6%, p<0.001), younger age of CDH onset (26.7±12.3 vs. 41.4±11.3 years, p<0.001), and longer duration of CDH (10.6±11.8 vs. 6.1±6.2 years, p=0.023). Of the 62 NDPH patients followed up for 31 months, on average, therapeutic responses were more effective in NDPH patients with trigger factors than in those without trigger factors (71.4% vs. 32.4%; p = 0.002); the odds ratio (OR) of an effective outcome was 5.25 (1.73-17.84, p = 0.005).Conclusions: NDPH is significantly different from MOH, with a male predominance, younger age of CDH onset, and longer duration of CDH. The presence of trigger factors is an independent predictor of better treatment effect in NDPH patients.