Clinical Aspects of Headache in HIV

Background Headaches are commonly seen in those patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and are the most common form of pain reported among HIV patients. There have been relatively few studies attempting to determine the rates and phenotypes of the headaches that occur in patients with HIV....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Headache 2014-05, Vol.54 (5), p.939-945
Main Authors: Sheikh, Huma U., Cho, Tracey A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
abortive
Adult
Brain - pathology
Brain - virology
Drug therapy
Female
headache
Headache - drug therapy
Headache - epidemiology
Headache - etiology
Headache - virology
Headaches
HIV
HIV Infections - complications
HIV Infections - epidemiology
Human immunodeficiency virus
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Middle Aged
migraine
opportunistic
preventive
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Summary:Background Headaches are commonly seen in those patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and are the most common form of pain reported among HIV patients. There have been relatively few studies attempting to determine the rates and phenotypes of the headaches that occur in patients with HIV. Discussion Patients with HIV are susceptible to a much broader array of secondary headache causes, sometimes with atypical manifestations due to a dampened inflammatory response. The investigation of a headache in the HIV patient should be thorough and focused on making sure that secondary and HIV‐specific causes are either ruled out or treated if present. Conclusion An effective treatment plan should incorporate the use of appropriate pharmacological agents along with the integration of non‐pharmacological therapies, such as relaxation and lifestyle regulation. When treating for headaches in patients with HIV, it is important to keep in mind comorbidities and other medications, especially combination antiretroviral therapy. For those with complicated headache histories, referral to a specialized headache center may be appropriate.
ISSN:0017-8748
1526-4610
DOI:10.1111/head.12357