Abstract:The epidemiology of cluster headache was investigated nationwide including 26 provinces and autonomous regions except Tat Wan with the starting time point of June 30,1986.In cities the multiple rank sampling was done as deeply as to residential area,and in rural areas the research areas were chosen by demonstration.There were 135 research areas covering 3 457 170 of population with no less than 25 000 in each area.236 patients with cluster headache were identified according to the modern international diagnositic criteria.The morbidity rate,China population standardized rate(1982) and international population standardized rate were 6.8/100,000,4.798/100,000 and 5.036/100, 000 respectively;in male they were 11.7/100,000; 8. 128/100,000 and 8.472/100,000 and in female 1.9/100,000;1.33/100,000 and 1.574/100, 000 respectively.The proportion of male to female was 6.2:1.Among the 236 cases,174 belong to attack type and 62 chronic type.The cluster periods were more common in autumn (39.4%) and spring(31.8%).During the cluster Periods,73.7% of cases had attacks at fixed times,predominantly at nocturnal time.The age at which the attacks occured most frequently was 40 to 44 in male(26.7/100,000) and 55 to 59 in female(8.1/100,000).The attacks were found to be related to acute and chronic paranasal sinusitis,heavy smoking and drinking,sleep snoring andplateau anoxia.
