Table 2 Precipitants for new daily persistent headache

Systemic / extracranial infection

(flu-like illness × 28, upper respiratory tract infection × 9, gastrointestinal infection × 8, urinary tract infection × 2, respiratory infection × 2, Lyme disease × 2, labyrinthitis × 1, malaria × 1, mycoplasma × 1, otitis media × 1, shingles × 1)

56 (40%)

Stressful life event

14 (10%)

Cranial infection

(viral meningitis × 7, meningoencephalitis × 2, sinusitis × 2)

11 (7.9%)

Cranial surgery/procedure

(dental surgery × 6, excision of acoustic neuroma × 1, laser eye surgery × 1, excision of cervical lesion × 1, exploration of frontal region × 1, temporomandibular joint surgery × 1)

11 (7.9%)

Drug

(combination of cocaine and amphetamines × 1, venlafaxine × 1, sildenafil × 1, flu vaccine × 1, GCSF × 1, isotretinoin × 1, MDMA × 1, flecainide × 1, withdrawal from venlafaxine × 1, withdrawal from multiple psychiatric drugs [methylphenidate, pregabalin, quetiapine, and diazepam] × 1)

10 (7.1%)

Cranial vascular

(carotid dissection × 2, venous sinus thrombosis × 2, vertebral artery dissection × 1, subarachnoid haemorrhage 1)

6 (4.3%)

Extracranial injury

(lower back injury × 3, neck injury × 1, shoulder injury × 1, left arm injury × 1)

6 (4.3%)

Extracranial surgery/procedure

(coronary angiogram 1, lumbar spine surgery 1, sterilisation surgery 1, thyroidectomy 1, wrist ganglionectomy 1)

5 (3.6%)

Other

(syncope 3, exertion 3, insect bites 2, choking episode 1, corneal abrasion 1, during blood test 1, exhaustion 1, flight 1, high altitude cerebral oedema 1, inflammatory 3^rd cranial nerve palsy 1, pre-eclampsia 1, semicircular canal dehiscence 1)

21 (15%)