Headache and Pain Research

Evidence-Based Recommendations on Pharmacologic Treatment for Migraine Prevention: A Clinical Practice Guideline from the Korean Headache Society: Byung-Su Kim, Pil-Wook Chung, Jae Myun Chung, Kwang-Yeol Park, Heui-Soo Moon, Hong-Kyun Park, Dae-Woong Bae, Jong-Geun Seo, Jong-Hee Sohn, Tae-Jin Song, Seung-Han Lee, Kyungmi Oh, Mi Ji Lee, Myoung-Jin Cha, Yun-Ju Choi, Miyoung Choi; Headache Pain Res. 2025;26(1):5-20. Published online January 16, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.62087/hpr.2024.0019

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Purpose: The aim of this clinical practice guideline (CPG) from the Korean Headache Society is to provide evidence-based recommendations on the pharmacologic treatment for migraine prevention in adult migraine patients.
Methods
The present CPG was developed based on the guideline adaptation methodology through a comprehensive systematic search for literature published between January 2012 and July 2020. The overall quality of the CPGs was assessed using the Korean version of the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II tool. High-quality CPGs were adapted to make key recommendations in terms of strength (strong or weak) and direction (for or against).
Results
The authors selected nine available high-quality guidelines throughout the process of assessment of quality. Regarding oral migraine preventive medications, propranolol, metoprolol, flunarizine, sodium divalproex, and valproic acid are recommended to adult patients with episodic migraines based on high-quality evidence (“strong for”). Topiramate can be recommended for either episodic or chronic migraine (“strong for”). For migraine prevention using calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibodies, galcanezumab, fremanezumab, erenumab, and eptinezumab are recommended for adult patients with either episodic or chronic migraine on the basis of high-quality evidence (“strong for”). OnabotulinumtoxinA is recommended for adult patients with chronic migraine based on high-quality evidence (“strong for”). Last, frovatriptan, naratriptan, and zolmitriptan are recommended for short-term prevention in women with menstrual migraine (“strong for”).
Conclusion
In the present CPG, the authors provide specific, straightforward, and easy-to-implement evidence-based recommendations for pharmacologic migraine prevention. Nevertheless, these recommendations should be applied in real-world clinical practice based on optimal individualization.

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One-Year Compliance After Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Monoclonal Antibody Therapy for Migraine Patients in a Real-World Setting: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study
Mi-kyoung Kang, Jong-Hee Sohn, Myoung-Jin Cha, Yoo Hwan Kim, Yooha Hong, Hee-Jin Im, Soo-Jin Cho
Journal of Clinical Medicine.2025; 14(3): 734. CrossRef
Beyond the Pain: Rethinking Migraine Care with the RELIEF PLAN Approach
Sanghyo Ryu
Headache and Pain Research.2025; 26(1): 1. CrossRef

Associations of Migraine and Tension-type Headache with Glaucoma: Jong-Ho Kim, Young-Suk Kwon, Sang-Hwa Lee, Jong-Hee Sohn; Headache Pain Res. 2024;25(1):54-62. Published online March 29, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.62087/hpr.2024.0002

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Abstract PDF

Purpose: It remains unclear whether primary headaches, particularly migraine, are associated with glaucoma. We investigated potential associations between primary headaches, including migraine and tension-type headache (TTH), and primary glaucoma, including open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and closed-angle glaucoma (CAG).
Methods
We used data from the Clinical Data Warehouse collected between 2008 and 2023 to investigate whether migraine and TTH influence the risk of primary glaucoma. We compared the prevalence of primary glaucoma, including OAG, CAG, other glaucoma, and total glaucoma (TG), among patients with migraine, those with TTH, and controls.
Results
This study analyzed 46,904 patients with migraine, 48,116 patients with TTH, and 455,172 controls. Controls were selected based on propensity score matching (PSM). After adjustment for covariates and PSM, the fully adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for patients with migraine were 1.83 for OAG (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.33–2.51; p<0.004) and 1.55 for TG (95% CI, 1.26–1.91; p<0.004) compared to controls. Furthermore, in patients with TTH, the ORs for CAG were 2.20 (95% CI, 1.40–3.47; p<0.004) compared to controls. Additionally, patients with migraine had fully adjusted ORs of 1.71 for OAG (95% CI, 1.24–2.36; p<0.004) and 1.41 for TG (95% CI, 1.15–1.73; p<0.004) compared to those with TTH.
Conclusion
Migraine is associated with primary glaucoma, particularly OAG.

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Exploring Secondary Headaches: Insights from Glaucoma and COVID-19 Infection
Soo-Kyoung Kim
Headache and Pain Research.2025; 26(1): 3. CrossRef
Association between migraine and primary open-angle glaucoma: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Dima L Chaar, Aliya Yakubova, Chen Jiang, Thomas J Hoffmann, Alice Pressman, Denis Plotnikov, Hélène Choquet
Cephalalgia Reports.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Subjective Cognitive Decline Patterns in Patients with Migraine, with or without Depression, versus Non-depressed Older Adults
Sun Hwa Lee, Soo-Jin Cho
Headache and Pain Research.2024; 25(2): 103. CrossRef

Treatment Strategies of Medication Overuse Headache: Mi-Kyoung Kang, Jong-Hee Sohn; Korean J Headache. 2023;24(2):33-38. Published online December 31, 2023

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Abstract PDF: Medication overuse headache (MOH) is a common secondary headache disorder in which chronic headaches develop or worsen due to frequent and excessive intake of medications used for acute headache treatment. While the concept of MOH is widely recognized among headache specialists, ongoing debates exist regarding its causes, diagnostic criteria, and treatment strategies. Treating MOH has traditionally been challenging, and there is currently no universal consensus on how to effectively manage patients with MOH. Furthermore, a specific treatment approach based on well-powered randomized trials is still lacking. The treatment strategy for MOH typically involves several steps: patient education and counseling, withdrawal of overused medications, preventive drug therapy, and non-pharmacological prevention. It is recommended that all patients discontinue the overused medication, which can be carried out on an outpatient or inpatient basis. Additionally, topiramate, Botox, and anti-calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibodies have shown potential in reducing headache and migraine frequency, as well as acute drug consumption, even without active drug withdrawal. However, many aspects of MOH management require further investigation through properly designed and adequately powered randomized controlled trials.

Three Cases of Secondary Trigeminal Neuralgia Caused by Maxillary Sinus Cyst: Eungue Lee, Wonseok Jeon, Joongwon Park, Junho Choi, Jong-Hee Sohn, Ho Jun Lee, Sang-Hwa Lee; Korean J Headache. 2023;24(1):28-31. Published online June 30, 2023

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Abstract PDF: Trigeminal neuralgia is a neuropathic pain disorder characterized by elicited paroxysms of stabbing pain in a specific region. Trigeminal neuralgia is classified into three types: classical, secondary, and idiopathic. The classic type, which is the most common, is caused by vascular compression of the trigeminal nerve root. Carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine are the first-line treatment choice for trigeminal neuralgia and offer meaningful pain control in almost 90% of patients. However, if there is no response to medical treatment, secondary trigeminal neuralgia should be considered. Secondary trigeminal neuralgia is attributed to an identifiable neurologic disease. Additionally, there are various secondary causes such as skull base fractures and paranasal sinus lesion. Two cases of secondary trigeminal neuralgia caused by maxillary sinus cyst were previously reported in South Korea. We experienced 3 cases of secondary trigeminal neuralgia induced by maxillary sinus cyst, which exhibited different clinical and radiological findings compared to the previous cases.

Update on Treatment of Giant Cell Arteritis: Mi-Kyoung Kang, Yoo Hwan Kim, Kyeong Min Son, Soo-Jin Cho , Jiyoung Kim, Jong-Hee Sohn, On behalf of the Hallym Headache Research Society; Published online December 31, 2022

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Abstract PDF: 거대세포동맥염의 최신 지견

Diagnostic Delay in Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension: Jiyoung Kim, Younjin Park, Jong-Hee Sohn, Sang-Hwa Lee, Eun Kyung Khil, Hee Jin Im, Min Jun Song, Myoung-Jin Cha, Soo-Jin Cho; Published online June 30, 2022

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Abstract PDF: 자발두개내저압의 진단 지연

Clinical Practice Guideline of Pharmacologic Treatment for Migraine Prevention in Adults 2021: The Committee of Clinical Practice Guideline of the Korean Headache Society: Kim Byung-Su, Jae Myun Chung, Pil-Wook Chung, Kwang-Yeol Park, Jin-Young Ahn, Heui-Soo Moon, Hong-Kyun Park, Dae Woong Bae, Jong-Geun Seo, Jong-Hee Sohn, Tae-Jin Song; Published online December 31, 2021

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Abstract PDF: 성인 편두통 예방치료 약제 진료지침 2021: 대한두통학회 진료지침위원회

Ocular Syphilis Misdiagnosed as Giant Cell Arteritis: Jeongsu Hwang, Jong-hee Sohn, Sang-Hwa Lee, Byoungchul Choi, Eungue Lee, Wonseok Jeon; Published online June 30, 2021

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Abstract PDF: 거대세포 동맥염으로 오인한 안매독 1례

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Patients with Migraine: Sun Hwa Lee, Mi Hyun Kim, Jong-Hee Sohn, Soo-Jin Cho; Published online December 31, 2019

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Abstract PDF: 편두통 환자를 위한 마음챙김에 기반한 인지치료

The Prevalence of Dizziness According to Subtypes of Migraine and Factors Related with Daily Disability: Yerim Kim, Young-Il Kim, Byoungchul Choi, Jong-Hee Sohn, Jong Seok Bae, Ju-Hun Lee, Sang-Hwa Lee; Published online June 30, 2018

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Abstract PDF: 편두통 양상에 따른 어지럼 동반 빈도 및 일상생활 장애와 관련된 임상 요인 분석

A Case of Superior Orbital Fissure Syndrome Attributed to Sinusitis Presenting Unilateral Throbbing Headache: Byung-Su Kim, Byung-Kun Kim, Soo-Kyoung Kim, Jae-Moon Kim, Heui-Soo Moon, Kwang-Yeol Park, Jong-Hee Sohn, Tae-Jin Song, Min Kyung Chu, Myoung-Jin Cha, Soo-Jin Cho, J; Published online December 31, 2017

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Abstract PDF: 두통 초진 환자에서 이차두통의 임상적 예측인자: 다기관 연구

The Frequency and Characteristics of Other Primary Headache Disorders in First-Visit Headache Patients in Korea: A Multicenter Study: Myoung-Jin Cha, Byung-Kun Kim, Byung-Su Kim, Jong-Hee Sohn, Soo-Kyoung Kim, Heui-Soo Moon, Tae-Jin Song, Jae-Moon Kim, Jeong Wook Park, Min Kyung Chu, Kwang-Yeol Park; Published online December 31, 2017

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Abstract PDF: 신경과 외래를 방문한 두통 초진 환자에서 기타 원발두통의 빈도와 특징 - 다기관 연구

Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis Presenting with Headache and Neck Pain: Subum Hwang, Sunghyun Kim, Youngil Kim, Jong-Hee Sohn; Published online June 30, 2017

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Abstract PDF: .

Recommendations and Guidelines on the Treatment of Cluster Headache: Jong-Hee Sohn, Soo-Jin Cho; Published online June 30, 2017

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Abstract PDF: .

The Effect of Pulsed Radiofrequency Neuromodulation of Cervicogenic Headache: Min Uk Jang, Chul-Ho Kim, Jong-Hee Sohn, Hui-Chul Choi, Sung Hyun Kim, In Young Heo, Hyuk Jai Choi; Published online December 31, 2015

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Abstract PDF: 경부인성두통 환자에서 박동성 고주파 신경조절술의 효과

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