Hayfever and asthma sufferers more likely to have headache and migraine
Headache and migraine is 1.5 times more common in those with asthma, asthma-related symptoms, hayfever and chronic bronchitis, than in those without these conditions, according to a study of over 50,000 Norwegian adults in Headache.

The HeadHUNT study asked adults to complete 2 questionnaires containing more than 200 health-related questions. The first questionnaire included six questions about cough and asthma; while the second included 13 questions relating to headache, hayfever and family history of allergy and asthma.

Headache prevalence was higher among those with asthma, hayfever and chronic bronchitis, than among those without these conditions. The association increases with increasing headache frequency.

While this link has been seen in other studies, the reason for the association is, as yet, unknown and it is not clear whether it is the headache that causes the asthma/hayfever or the other way round. The authors do state, however, that it does underline the importance of considering additional health problems among frequent headache sufferers.

_{Aamodt AH, Stovner LJ, Langhammer A et al. Is Headache Related to Asthma, Hay Fever, and Chronic Bronchitis? The Head-HUNT Study. Headache 2007;47:204-212.}

What the WHA thinks

• This is an interesting paper and echoes findings of other studies.
• However, there are problems with the methodology; for example, the conditions were reported by patients, which gives room for error.