Headache changes after kidney transplant.

Headache is considered as a possible complication of dialytic treatment in chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this study was to evaluate possible change in headache characteristics after kidney transplantation in patients with CKD. During a 1-year period, we enrolled 110 subjects submitted to a kidney transplant in the previous 5 years. Headache characteristics before and after the transplant were investigated by a specific questionnaire. Possible effects of pharmacological therapies were also evaluated. 65.5% of patients complained of headache before the transplant (38.2% migraine and 14.5% dialysis headache). After transplant, 53.6% of patients reported changes in headache characteristics. In particular, 27.3% of the patients had a complete resolution, 19.1% presented a headache improvement and 7.2% showed a worsening. In both migraine and dialysis headache subgroups, steroids, beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers were associated with a significant improvement of headache. Kidney transplantation seems to impact significantly headache frequency and severity in patients with CKD. A careful evaluation and use of targeted treatments could improve both patients' compliance to therapies and quality of life.