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Rodriguez-Leyva I, Velez-Jimenez MK, García S, Nader-Kawachi JA, Martínez-Mayorga AP, Melo-Carrillo A, Juárez-Jimenez H, Martinez-Gurrola M, Gudiño-Castelazo M, Chiquete E, Villareal-Careaga J, Marfil A, Uribe-Jaimes PD, Vargas-García RD, Collado-Ortiz MA, San-Juan D. Cluster headache: state of the art in treatment. FRONTIERS IN PAIN RESEARCH 2023; 4:1265540. [PMID: 37965210 PMCID: PMC10641784 DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2023.1265540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Cluster headache (CH) is the most common and devastating autonomic headache with multiple and recent advances in treatment. However, it usually goes unrecognized and is found to have a delayed and inappropriate treatment. This paper aims to review the current therapeutic options for patients with CH. We conducted a narrative literature review on the treatments available for this condition using the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) classification of therapeutic evidence. We found effective and safe pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies with heterogeneity of clinical trial designs for patients with CH, and they are divided into three phases, namely, transitional, acute, and preventive interventions. Prednisone (A) is the most studied treatment in the transitional phase; acute attacks are treated using triptans (A), oxygen (A), and non-invasive transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (A). Verapamil (A) and monoclonal antibodies (possible A) are considered the first options in preventive treatments, followed by multiple pharmacological and non-pharmacological options in prophylactic treatments. In conclusion, numerous effective and safe treatments are available in treating patients with episodic, chronic, and pharmacoresistant CH according to the clinical profile of each patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ildefonso Rodriguez-Leyva
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Central Hospital “Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto,”Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi, Mexico
| | | | - Silvia García
- Clinical Research Department, Centro Médico Nacional “20 de Noviembre,” ISSSTE, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | | | - Agustín Melo-Carrillo
- Anesthesia Department, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | | | | | - Erwin Chiquete
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, National Institute of Medical Science and Nutrition “Salvador Zubirán,”Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Alejandro Marfil
- Headache and Chronic Pain Clinic, Neurology Service, Hospital Universitario “Dr. J. E. González” of the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico
| | | | | | | | - Daniel San-Juan
- Epilepsy Clinic of the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery Manuel Velazco Suarez, Mexico City, Mexico
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May A, Evers S, Goadsby PJ, Leone M, Manzoni GC, Pascual J, Carvalho V, Romoli M, Aleksovska K, Pozo-Rosich P, Jensen RH. European Academy of Neurology guidelines on the treatment of cluster headache. Eur J Neurol 2023; 30:2955-2979. [PMID: 37515405 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Cluster headache is a relatively rare, disabling primary headache disorder with a major impact on patients' quality of life. This work presents evidence-based recommendations for the treatment of cluster headache derived from a systematic review of the literature and consensus among a panel of experts. METHODS The databases PubMed (Medline), Science Citation Index, and Cochrane Library were screened for studies on the efficacy of interventions (last access July 2022). The findings in these studies were evaluated according to the recommendations of the European Academy of Neurology, and the level of evidence was established using GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation). RECOMMENDATIONS For the acute treatment of cluster headache attacks, there is a strong recommendation for oxygen (100%) with a flow of at least 12 L/min over 15 min and 6 mg subcutaneous sumatriptan. Prophylaxis of cluster headache attacks with verapamil at a daily dose of at least 240 mg (maximum dose depends on efficacy and tolerability) is recommended. Corticosteroids are efficacious in cluster headache. To reach an effect, the use of at least 100 mg prednisone (or equivalent corticosteroid) given orally or at up to 500 mg iv per day over 5 days is recommended. Lithium, topiramate, and galcanezumab (only for episodic cluster headache) are recommended as alternative treatments. Noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation is efficacious in episodic but not chronic cluster headache. Greater occipital nerve block is recommended, but electrical stimulation of the greater occipital nerve is not recommended due to the side effect profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arne May
- Department of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg- Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Evers
- Department of Neurology, Lindenbrunn Hospital, Coppenbrügge, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Peter J Goadsby
- NIHR King's CRF, SLaM Biomedical Research Centre, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Massimo Leone
- Neuroalgology Department, Foundation of the Carlo Besta Neurological Institute, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Julio Pascual
- Service of Neurology, University Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla, Universidad de Cantabria and IDIVAL, Santander, Spain
| | - Vanessa Carvalho
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health (Neurology), Hospital Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal
- Centro de Estudos Egas Moniz, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Michele Romoli
- Neurology and Stroke Unit, Bufalini Hospital, Cesena, Italy
| | | | - Patricia Pozo-Rosich
- Headache Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
- Headache Research Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rigmor H Jensen
- Danish Headache Center, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet-Glostrup, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Lund NLT, Petersen AS, Fronczek R, Tfelt-Hansen J, Belin AC, Meisingset T, Tronvik E, Steinberg A, Gaul C, Jensen RH. Current treatment options for cluster headache: limitations and the unmet need for better and specific treatments-a consensus article. J Headache Pain 2023; 24:121. [PMID: 37667192 PMCID: PMC10476341 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-023-01660-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM Treatment for cluster headache is currently based on a trial-and-error approach. The available preventive treatment is unspecific and based on few and small studies not adhering to modern standards. Therefore, the authors collaborated to discuss acute and preventive treatment in cluster headache, addressing the unmet need of safe and tolerable preventive medication from the perspectives of people with cluster headache and society, headache specialist and cardiologist. FINDINGS The impact of cluster headache on personal life is substantial. Mean annual direct and indirect costs of cluster headache are more than 11,000 Euros per patient. For acute treatment, the main problems are treatment response, availability, costs and, for triptans, contraindications and the maximum use allowed. Intermediate treatment with steroids and greater occipital nerve blocks are effective but cannot be used continuously. Preventive treatment is sparsely studied and overall limited by relatively low efficacy and side effects. Neurostimulation is a relevant option for treatment-refractory chronic patients. From a cardiologist's perspective use of verapamil and triptans may be worrisome and regular follow-up is essential when using verapamil and lithium. CONCLUSION We find that there is a great and unmet need to pursue novel and targeted preventive modalities to suppress the horrific pain attacks for people with cluster headache.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunu Laura Timotheussen Lund
- Danish Headache Center, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet-Glostrup, Valdemar Hansens Vej 5, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark.
- Department of Neurology, Sjællands Universitetshospital Roskilde, Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - Anja Sofie Petersen
- Danish Headache Center, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet-Glostrup, Valdemar Hansens Vej 5, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Rolf Fronczek
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederlands (SEIN), Sleep-Wake Centre, Heemstede, The Netherlands
| | - Jacob Tfelt-Hansen
- Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andrea Carmine Belin
- Centre for Cluster Headache, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tore Meisingset
- Norwegian Advisory Unit On Headaches, St. Olav University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
- NorHEAD, Norwegian Headache Research Centre, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Erling Tronvik
- Norwegian Advisory Unit On Headaches, St. Olav University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
- NorHEAD, Norwegian Headache Research Centre, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Anna Steinberg
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Charly Gaul
- Charly Gaul, Headache Center, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Rigmor Højland Jensen
- Danish Headache Center, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet-Glostrup, Valdemar Hansens Vej 5, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark
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Chronic Cluster Headache Update and East-West Comparisons: Focusing on Clinical Features, Pathophysiology, and Management. Curr Pain Headache Rep 2020; 24:68. [PMID: 32990832 DOI: 10.1007/s11916-020-00902-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review provides an update on chronic cluster headache (CH) focusing on clinical features, pathophysiology, and management as well as comparisons between Eastern and Western populations. RECENT FINDINGS Chronic CH in Eastern populations was relatively rare, compared to that in Western populations. Lacrimation and/or conjunctival injection is the most frequently reported cranial autonomic symptom, and visual aura is predominant in chronic CH patients. Neuroimaging evidence in both ethnic groups suggests that CH pathophysiology involves the hypothalamus and pain-modulatory areas, with dynamic alternations between CH episodes. Recent evidence indicates that midbrain dopaminergic systems may participate in CH chronicity. Noteworthy advances have emerged in neuromodulatory therapies for chronic CH, but treatment with calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) monoclonal antibodies has been unsuccessful. Recent evidence shows divergence of chronic CH between Eastern and Western populations. Neuromodulatory therapies but not CGRP inhibition is effective in this intractable patient group.
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Abstract
Cluster headache is characterised by attacks of excruciating unilateral headache or facial pain lasting 15 min to 3 h and is seen as one of the most intense forms of pain. Cluster headache attacks are accompanied by ipsilateral autonomic symptoms such as ptosis, miosis, redness or flushing of the face, nasal congestion, rhinorrhoea, peri-orbital swelling and/or restlessness or agitation. Cluster headache treatment entails fast-acting abortive treatment, transitional treatment and preventive treatment. The primary goal of prophylactic and transitional treatment is to achieve attack freedom, although this is not always possible. Subcutaneous sumatriptan and high-flow oxygen are the most proven abortive treatments for cluster headache attacks, but other treatment options such as intranasal triptans may be effective. Verapamil and lithium are the preventive drugs of first choice and the most widely used in first-line preventive treatment. Given its possible cardiac side effects, electrocardiogram (ECG) is recommended before treating with verapamil. Liver and kidney functioning should be evaluated before and during treatment with lithium. If verapamil and lithium are ineffective, contraindicated or discontinued because of side effects, the second choice is topiramate. If all these drugs fail, other options with lower levels of evidence are available (e.g. melatonin, clomiphene, dihydroergotamine, pizotifen). However, since the evidence level is low, we also recommend considering one of several neuromodulatory options in patients with refractory chronic cluster headache. A new addition to the preventive treatment options in episodic cluster headache is galcanezumab, although the long-term effects remain unknown. Since effective preventive treatment can take several weeks to titrate, transitional treatment can be of great importance in the treatment of cluster headache. At present, greater occipital nerve injection is the most proven transitional treatment. Other options are high-dose prednisone or frovatriptan.
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Hoffmann J, May A. Diagnosis, pathophysiology, and management of cluster headache. Lancet Neurol 2017; 17:75-83. [PMID: 29174963 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(17)30405-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 171] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Revised: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Cluster headache is a trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia characterised by extremely painful, strictly unilateral, short-lasting headache attacks accompanied by ipsilateral autonomic symptoms or the sense of restlessness and agitation, or both. The severity of the disorder has major effects on the patient's quality of life and, in some cases, might lead to suicidal ideation. Cluster headache is now thought to involve a synchronised abnormal activity in the hypothalamus, the trigeminovascular system, and the autonomic nervous system. The hypothalamus appears to play a fundamental role in the generation of a permissive state that allows the initiation of an episode, whereas the attacks are likely to require the involvement of the peripheral nervous system. Triptans are the most effective drugs to treat an acute cluster headache attack. Monoclonal antibodies against calcitonin gene-related peptide, a crucial neurotransmitter of the trigeminal system, are under investigation for the preventive treatment of cluster headache. These studies will increase our understanding of the disorder and perhaps reveal other therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Hoffmann
- Department of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Arne May
- Department of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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Obermann M, Holle D, Naegel S, Burmeister J, Diener HC. Pharmacotherapy options for cluster headache. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2015; 16:1177-84. [PMID: 25911317 DOI: 10.1517/14656566.2015.1040392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cluster headache (CH) is a primary headache disorder and the most common trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia. Patients suffer from very severe unilateral headache attacks accompanied by ipsilateral trigeminal autonomic symptoms. Previous studies described a high burden of disease due to its impact on social life as well as an increased suicide ideation rate. The mean time to diagnosis in western industrialized countries is estimated at 4 years. AREAS COVERED Many treatment options for CH exist, but due to the rarity of the disease, controlled randomized clinical studies remain difficult to perform. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the treatment of CH including internationally accepted treatment guidelines, and an additional MEDLINE search (1 February 2015). EXPERT OPINION International treatment recommendations and official guidelines give reassurance about specific pharmacotherapy options for CH, but only few of these are backed by sufficient scientific evidence. The limited therapeutic efficacy in some patients leads to the use of alternative, complementary, but also illicit drugs to better cope with the disease. Many single cases, case series and uncontrolled studies were performed with different substances in an attempt to find a better way to treat or prevent the excruciatingly painful attacks associated with CH. Large-scale, randomized controlled clinical trials are desperately needed in order to further increase the quality of patient care for this outstanding but terrifying disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Obermann
- University of Duisburg-Essen, Department of Neurology , Hufelandstr. 55, 45122 Essen , Germany +49 201 723 84385 ; +49 201 723 5542 ;
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Donnet A, Demarquay G, Ducros A, Geraud G, Giraud P, Guegan-Massardier E, Lucas C, Navez M, Valade D, Lanteri-Minet M. Recommandations pour le diagnostic et le traitement de l’algie vasculaire de la face. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.douler.2015.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Costa A, Antonaci F, Ramusino MC, Nappi G. The Neuropharmacology of Cluster Headache and other Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias. Curr Neuropharmacol 2015; 13:304-23. [PMID: 26411963 PMCID: PMC4812802 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x13666150309233556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2014] [Revised: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 03/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TACs) are a group of primary headaches including cluster headache (CH), paroxysmal hemicrania (PH) and short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT). Another form, hemicrania continua (HC), is also included this group due to its clinical and pathophysiological similarities. CH is the most common of these syndromes, the others being infrequent in the general population. The pathophysiology of the TACs has been partly elucidated by a number of recent neuroimaging studies, which implicate brain regions associated with nociception (pain matrix). In addition, the hypothalamic activation observed in the course of TAC attacks and the observed efficacy of hypothalamic neurostimulation in CH patients suggest that the hypothalamus is another key structure. Hypothalamic activation may indeed be involved in attack initiation, but it may also lead to a condition of central facilitation underlying the recurrence of pain episodes. The TACs share many pathophysiological features, but are characterised by differences in attack duration and frequency, and to some extent treatment response. Although alternative strategies for the TACs, especially CH, are now emerging (such as neurostimulation techniques), this review focuses on the available pharmacological treatments complying with the most recent guidelines. We discuss the clinical efficacy and tolerability of the currently used drugs. Due to the low frequency of most TACs, few randomised controlled trials have been conducted. The therapies of choice in CH continue to be the triptans and oxygen for acute treatment, and verapamil and lithium for prevention, but promising results have recently been obtained with novel modes of administration of the triptans and other agents, and several other treatments are currently under study. Indomethacin is extremely effective in PH and HC, while antiepileptic drugs (especially lamotrigine) appear to be increasingly useful in SUNCT. We highlight the need for appropriate studies investigating treatments for these rare, but lifelong and disabling conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Costa
- National Institute of Neurology IRCCS C. Mondino Foundation, University of Pavia, via Mondino 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
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Donnet A, Demarquay G, Ducros A, Geraud G, Giraud P, Guegan-Massardier E, Lucas C, Navez M, Valade D, Lanteri-Minet M. Recommandations pour le diagnostic et le traitement de l’algie vasculaire de la face. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2014; 170:653-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2014.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2014] [Accepted: 03/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Okuma H, Iijima K, Yasuda T, Tokuoka K, Kitagawa Y. Preventive effect of cyproheptadine hydrochloride in refractory patients with frequent migraine. SPRINGERPLUS 2013; 2:573. [PMID: 24255866 PMCID: PMC3824712 DOI: 10.1186/2193-1801-2-573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2013] [Accepted: 10/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cyproheptadine hydrochloride (CH) is rarely used to treat adult patients with migraine in Japan because it causes sleepiness. In this study, we investigated the preventive effect of CH in 12 patients who had failed to respond to conventional preventive treatments among 103 migraine patients treated at our hospital. These 12 subjects had all received unsuccessful migraine prophylaxis with lomerizine, valproic acid and topiramate, or had discontinued these treatments due to adverse reactions. Initially, the subjects were given 4 mg CH before sleeping. In those who experienced no clinically significant sleepiness following the treatment, the drug was orally administered at 4 mg after breakfast as well (8 mg per day in total). Drug efficacy was evaluated by examining the frequency of migraine at one month and three months after the start of treatment. The frequency of migraine was dramatically reduced in all patients within 7 to 10 days after starting treatment. The average frequency of migraine during the three-month period was 2.6 episodes per month, representing a significant (p < 0.01) reduction from the pretreatment frequency of over 10 per month. Our results indicate that CH may be effective as a migraine-preventive treatment for patients in whom conventional drugs have been ineffective or have caused side effects. But this study is not a double blind randomized trial, and an open study with no control group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirohisa Okuma
- Department of Neurology, Tokai University Hachioji Hospital, 1838 Ishikawa-cho, Hachioji city, Tokyo 192-0032 Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Iijima
- Department of Neurology, Tokai University Hachioji Hospital, 1838 Ishikawa-cho, Hachioji city, Tokyo 192-0032 Japan
| | - Takashi Yasuda
- Department of Neurology, Tokai University Hachioji Hospital, 1838 Ishikawa-cho, Hachioji city, Tokyo 192-0032 Japan
| | - Kentaro Tokuoka
- Department of Neurology, Tokai University Hachioji Hospital, 1838 Ishikawa-cho, Hachioji city, Tokyo 192-0032 Japan
| | - Yasuhisa Kitagawa
- Department of Neurology, Tokai University Hachioji Hospital, 1838 Ishikawa-cho, Hachioji city, Tokyo 192-0032 Japan
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Sarchielli P, Granella F, Prudenzano MP, Pini LA, Guidetti V, Bono G, Pinessi L, Alessandri M, Antonaci F, Fanciullacci M, Ferrari A, Guazzelli M, Nappi G, Sances G, Sandrini G, Savi L, Tassorelli C, Zanchin G. Italian guidelines for primary headaches: 2012 revised version. J Headache Pain 2012; 13 Suppl 2:S31-70. [PMID: 22581120 PMCID: PMC3350623 DOI: 10.1007/s10194-012-0437-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The first edition of the Italian diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for primary headaches in adults was published in J Headache Pain 2(Suppl. 1):105-190 (2001). Ten years later, the guideline committee of the Italian Society for the Study of Headaches (SISC) decided it was time to update therapeutic guidelines. A literature search was carried out on Medline database, and all articles on primary headache treatments in English, German, French and Italian published from February 2001 to December 2011 were taken into account. Only randomized controlled trials (RCT) and meta-analyses were analysed for each drug. If RCT were lacking, open studies and case series were also examined. According to the previous edition, four levels of recommendation were defined on the basis of levels of evidence, scientific strength of evidence and clinical effectiveness. Recommendations for symptomatic and prophylactic treatment of migraine and cluster headache were therefore revised with respect to previous 2001 guidelines and a section was dedicated to non-pharmacological treatment. This article reports a summary of the revised version published in extenso in an Italian version.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Sarchielli
- Headache Centre, Neurologic Clinic, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
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Abstract
Cluster headache is a rare primary neurovascular headache and a severe pain condition with unilateral headache over 15-180 minutes and concomitant unilateral autonomic symptoms. The detailed pathophysiology of the condition is still unclear. Only a few evidence-based therapeutic options for acute therapy and the preventive management of the disease are available. Triptans, in particular sumatriptan 6 mg subcutaneously, are highly effective for acute treatment. This review focuses on the potential use of oral triptans in the prophylaxis of cluster headache.
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Bigal ME. Designing studies for cluster headache: lessons learned. Curr Pain Headache Rep 2011; 15:235-6. [PMID: 21461652 DOI: 10.1007/s11916-011-0197-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo E Bigal
- Global Center for Scientific Affairs, North Wales, PA 19454, USA.
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Pageler L, Katsarava Z, Lampl C, Straube A, Evers S, Diener HC, Limmroth V. Frovatriptan for prophylactic treatment of cluster headache: lessons for future trial design. Headache 2010; 51:129-34. [PMID: 21198573 DOI: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2010.01772.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine whether frovatriptan would show efficacy in short term prophylactic treatment of episodic cluster headache (ECH) in comparison to placebo. BACKGROUND The 5-hydroxytryptamine(1B/d) (5-HT(1B/d) )-agonists naratriptan, eletriptan, and frovatriptan have been shown to reduce the frequency of ECH. So far, no double-blind placebo-controlled trials have investigated the potential prophylactic effects of 5-HT(1B/d) -agonists in ECH. METHODS The trial was conducted as a multi-center, placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, prospective phase III parallel-group trial with two independent treatment groups (5 mg frovatriptan vs placebo). It was planned to randomize about 96 patients (48 patients per group) into the trial to obtain 80 evaluable patients (40 patients per group). RESULTS The study was prematurely discontinued after 13 months and enrollment of 11, instead of the planned 80 patients, by the sponsor due to infeasibility. Recruitment was slow and each of the patients included conducted major protocol violations. The differences in the primary and secondary endpoints were not significant. CONCLUSION This study shows that particular therapeutic aims are impossible to be addressed in a double-blind, randomized, parallel group, study design with specific inclusion and exclusion criteria according to the International Headache Society (IHS) guidelines for controlled trials of drugs in cluster headache. Further studies are required to evaluate the potential efficacy of triptans in the prophylactic treatment of ECH. The outcome of the trial suggests that the recommendations of the Guidelines for controlled Trials of Drugs in Cluster Headache from the IHS should be revised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lutz Pageler
- Department of Neurology, Cologne City Hospitals, Cologne, Germany
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Loder E, Rizzoli P, McGeeney B, Ward T, Levin M, Shapiro RE, Tepper S, Newman L, Sheftell F, Rapoport A, Markley H. Cluster headache treatment dilemmas: the experts respond. Curr Pain Headache Rep 2007; 11:141-7. [PMID: 17367594 DOI: 10.1007/s11916-007-0012-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
When conventional treatment approaches to cluster headache are unsuccessful, expert recommendations are relevant but may not be easily accessible to treating clinicians. We conducted a study of expert recommendations in response to standardized vignettes. Ten expert headache clinicians were asked what treatment they would recommend for a hypothetical 55-year-old male cluster headache patient in the following five situations: 1) known coronary artery disease with response only to sumatriptan; 2) strictly unilateral headaches unresponsive to preventive treatment; 3) effective abortive treatment not covered by insurance; 4) patient request to obtain methysergide from Canada; and 5) headaches responsive only to steroid treatment.
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Abstract
Following the revised International Headache Society criteria, a group of short-lasting headaches associated with autonomic symptoms, the so called trigeminal autonomic cephalgias, were newly recognized. The trigeminal autonomic cephalgias include cluster headache, paroxysmal hemicranias and a syndrome involving short-lasting unilateral neuralform cephalgias with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT) syndrome. In all of these syndromes, the half-sided head pain and cranial autonomic symptoms are prominent. All of the trigeminal autonomic cephalgias differ in duration, frequency and rhythmicity of the attacks, the intensity of pain and autonomic symptoms, as well as treatment options. This review gives a brief clinical description of the headache disorders and recent pathophysiological findings, as well as an overview of the treatment of cluster headache, paroxysmal hemicranias and SUNCT syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arne May
- University of Hamburg, Department of Systems Neuroscience, Martinistr. 52, Hamburg, Germany.
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