Migraine: a question and answer review

Migraine and type 2 diabetes; is there any association?

BACKGROUND

Migraine headache prevalence and triggers in type2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were investigated in previous studies but the results are contradictory. Therefore, in this study we examined the prevalence of migraine headache in diabetic patients in comparison with non-diabetic persons and its predisposing factors in 2014.

METHODS

We enrolled 147 volunteer patients with T2DM and 150 healthy persons referred to the Yazd Diabetes Research Center and the Central Laboratory of Yazd, respectively, in 2014. The data collection instrument was a self-conducted checklist. The checklist contained demographic, anthropometric and clinical characteristics and migraine diagnostic questions according to International Classification of Headache Disorders Second Edition (ICHD-II) criteria. We compared prevalence of migraine between two groups, and also evaluated relationship between above characteristics and migraine prevalence in both groups.

RESULTS

The prevalence of migraine in participants of diabetic and non-diabetic was 27.9 and 26 %, respectively (p-value = .406). The prevalence of migraine headache among in diabetic persons was significantly correlated with family history of migraine, diabetes duration and hypoglycemia attacks. Also, the migraine prevalence was significant more prevalent in T2DM patients with duration 6-10 years (p-value = 0.031). The percentage of HbA1C, type of anti-diabetic medication, BMI value and age in diabetic patients did not show any significant association with migraine.

CONCLUSION

Although we observed no significant differences in prevalence of migraine between patients with T2DM and non-diabetic age and sex adjusted persons But, the occurrence of hypoglycemia attacks and T2DM duration were related to migraine prevalence. Decreasing hypoglycemia among long-time T2DM patients probably can decline migraine headache in this group of patients.

Use of ergotamine: do physicians in Colombia know how to prescribe it?

INTRODUCTION

Ergot derivatives are drugs with vasoconstrictor effects that are used to abort migraine attacks. This study aims to determine how ergot derivatives are prescribed by physicians in Colombia, find variables associated with inappropriate prescribing, and review potential interactions in our patients.

METHODS

We reviewed 86 411 formulas during April 2012, identifying the prescription by drug, dose, interval, duration of use, and indication. We interviewed 288 randomly selected patients in whom we also investigated concomitant use of a) antihypertensive agents b) ischaemic heart disease treatments c) antiretrovirals d) other antimigraine drugs, and e) macrolides, because of their potential for interactions.

RESULTS

We identified 801 prescriptions from patients in 27 cities with a mean age of 35.1±14.1 years; 82.5% of the prescriptions were for women, 96.5% were written by primary care physicians, and 65.4% (n=524) corresponded to migraine treatments. There were 26 different prescription types and 797 prescriptions were incorrect with regard to usage recommendations (99.5%). Inappropriate prescribing was significantly associated with the health centre providing patient care (P=.005). Of the patients who were interviewed by telephone, 266 (92.4%) took the drug according to the erroneous indication. A total of 54 patients (6.7%) were treated with antihypertensive drugs, 24 (2.9%) with macrolides, and 5 (0.6%) with another concomitant antimigraine drug.

DISCUSSION

Most patients take ergotamine improperly, apart from the fact that potential interactions may increase the risk of health problems such as ergotism and coronary events. Physicians will require assessment measures, updated information, and continuous training.

Combination of acupuncture and spinal manipulative therapy: management of a 32-year-old patient with chronic tension-type headache and migraine

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this case study is to describe the treatment using acupuncture and spinal manipulation for a patient with a chronic tension-type headache and episodic migraines.

CLINICAL FEATURES

A 32-year-old woman presented with headaches of 5 months' duration. She had a history of episodic migraine that began in her teens and had been controlled with medication. She had stopped taking the prescription medications because of gastrointestinal symptoms. A neurologist diagnosed her with mixed headaches, some migrainous and some tension type. Her headaches were chronic, were daily, and fit the International Classification of Headache Disorders criteria of a chronic tension-type headache superimposed with migraine.

INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME

After 5 treatments over a 2-week period (the first using acupuncture only, the next 3 using acupuncture and chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy), her headaches resolved. The patient had no recurrences of headaches in her 1-year follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The combination of acupuncture with chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy was a reasonable alternative in treating this patient's chronic tension-type headaches superimposed with migraine.

Imaging in the evaluation of headache

When deciding to perform imaging for headache, it is important to consider many factors including the pretest probability, prevalence of diseases, sensitivity of imaging, and implications for treatment. For the first presentation of a headache or a change in headache pattern, if the characteristics do not perfectly fit a primary headache type, imaging may be indicated according to the ICHD-2 criteria to exclude a secondary cause before a primary headache is diagnosed. The value of negative imaging should not be underestimated in the cost-benefit analysis, which often only takes into account number needed to treat or likelihood of finding a significant treatable abnormality. One study has shown that some groups of patients are less likely to overuse other parts of the health care system after negative neuroimaging. Further studies with stronger methodologies, finer differentiation of acute and chronic headache presentations, more advanced imaging technology, among other factors, can improve decision making on when to use imaging and assess the impact of imaging on patient satisfaction and quality of life. In addition, functional MRI, MRS, and voxel-based morphometry MRI are only some of the neuroimaging techniques currently used in research to further understand the pathophysiology and mechanisms of headache. In conclusion, although most headaches are a primary headache disorder with a benign course, imaging is an important part of the diagnostic evaluation to exclude the presence of a secondary cause of headache that could cause fatal results or severe neurologic morbidity. In headache patients without focal neurologic examination abnormalities, the yield of neuroimaging for significant intracranial findings is generally low. However, specific subgroups of headache patients and headache presentations can have much higher rates of significant intracranial abnormalities.