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Objective: This study was conducted to investigate sex differences in the prevalence and clinical presentation of migraine and probable migraine in a general population‐based sample. Background: While there is research on sex differences in clinical characteristics and their impact on migraine headache, only few studies have investigated sex differences in probable migraine in population‐based settings. Moreover, compared with Western countries, the prevalence of probable migraine in Asia is relatively high. This cross‐sectional study was designed to investigate sex differences in the prevalence and clinical presentation of migraine and probable migraine in a general population‐based sample. Methods: We used the data of the Korean Headache‐Sleep Study, which is a nationwide survey on headache and sleep. Results: We interviewed 7430 people, and 3114 of them agreed to participate in our study (rejection rate, 58.1%). Among these people, 419 withdrew their participation during the interview. Ultimately, 2695 people completed our survey (cooperation rate, 36.3%). The prevalence of overall migraine and probable migraine was 350/1350 (25.9%) for women and 172/1345 (12.8%) for men (P < .001, respectively). The prevalence of migraine (107/1350 [7.9%] vs 36/1345 [2.7%], P < .001) and probable migraine (243/1350 [18.0%] vs 136/1345 [10.1%], P < .001) was significantly higher among women than among men. Headache frequency per month (median [interquartile range]) (1.0 [0.3–3.0] vs 0.8 [0.3–2.0], P = .037), the visual analog scale score for headache intensity (5.0 [4.0–7.0] vs 5.0 [3.0–6.0], P = .019), and the impact of headache {Headache Impact Test‐6 score (47.0 [42.0–54.0] vs 44.0 [42.0–51.8], P = .013)} were significantly higher among women with probable migraine than men. Headache frequency per month (2.0 [0.4–4.0] vs 1.0 [0.3–2.0], P = .073), headache intensity (6.0 [5.0–8.0] vs 6.0 [4.2–7.0], P = .281), and the impact of headache (55.0 [48.0–61.0] vs 49.0 [46.3–60.8], P = .225) were not significantly different between women and men with migraine. Other comorbidities or associated symptoms, such as anxiety and depression, were not significantly different between women and men with migraine and probable migraine, except for nausea in probable migraine. Conclusion: Women experience more severe symptoms and a higher impact of headache than men among participants with probable migraine. Our findings suggest that women with PM need a more intensive evaluation and treatment than men with PM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Although probable migraine (PM) is common among headache sufferers, there is little knowledge of the prevalence and impacts of comorbid anxiety and depression in patients with PM. We assessed the prevalence and impact of anxiety and depression among PM sufferers in the general population. Methods We recruited Korean individuals aged 19-69 years via stratified random sampling and assessed headache type, anxiety, and depression among them using structured interviews. Results In a representative sample of 2695 individuals, 143 (5.3%) and 379 (14.1%) had migraine and PM, respectively. Fewer patients with PM had anxiety (17.7% vs. 30.1%, p = 0.002) and depression (8.7% vs. 16.8%, p = 0.007) compared to those with migraine. Prevalence of anxiety and depression was lower in people with PM than in those with migraine in univariable analysis, but insignificant after including headache intensity and headache frequency for adjustment. Headache frequency, headache intensity, and impact of headache were significantly higher among PM and migraine patients with anxiety and depression than among those without. Conclusions The prevalence of anxiety and depression was lower among individuals with PM compared to those with migraine. However, they were still prevalent and associated with an exacerbation of symptoms among individuals with PM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of 29 case series is to report the possibility that a hand acupuncture is effective in relieving headache. Methods: After approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB), I analyzed 29 cases medical records of outpatients with headache, who visited OO oriental medical hospital from December 2008 to December 2010, who have taken a hand acupuncture's treatment without other intervention, and who were diagnosed with one disease of international classification of headache disease second version (ICHD-2). The data was analyzed with Wilcoxon signed rank test to determine whether a hand acupuncture's treatment differed between before and after treatment's Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) according to types of headache and syndrome differentiation. Statistics program was used SPSS 18.0. Differences were considered significant at P

Background: Insomnia is a common complaint among individuals with migraine. The close association between insomnia and migraine has been reported in clinic-based and population-based studies. Probable migraine (PM) is a migrainous headache which fulfills all but one criterion in the migraine diagnostic criteria. However, an association between insomnia and PM has rarely been reported. This study is to investigate the association between insomnia and PM in comparison with migraine using data from the Korean Headache-Sleep Study. Methods: The Korean Headache-Sleep Study is a nation-wide cross-sectional survey for all Korean adults aged 19-69 years. The survey was performed via face-to-face interview using a questionnaire on sleep and headache. If an individual's Insomnia Severity Index score was ≥15.5, she/he was diagnosed as having insomnia. Results: Of 2695 participants, the prevalence of migraine, PM and insomnia was 5.3, 14.1 and 3.6 %, respectively. The prevalence of insomnia among subjects with PM was not significantly different compared to those with migraine (8.2 % vs. 9.1 %, p = 0.860). However, insomnia prevalence in subjects with PM was significantly higher than in non-headache controls (8.2 % vs. 1.8 %, p < 0.001). Insomnia Severity Index score was significantly higher in subjects with migraine compared to those with PM (6.8 ± 5.8 vs. 5.5 ± 5.8, p = 0.012). Headache frequency and Headache Impact Test-6 score were significantly higher in subjects with migraine and PM with insomnia compared to those without insomnia. Multivariable linear analyses showed that anxiety, depression, headache frequency and headache intensity were independent variables for contributing the ISI score among subjects with PM. Conclusions: The prevalence of insomnia among subjects with PM was not significantly different compared to those with migraine. Anxiety, depression, headache frequency and headache intensity were related with ISI score in subjects with PM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Probable migraine is a common, disabling migraine subtype fulfilling all but one of the diagnostic criteria for migraine. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of sumatriptan/naproxen sodium for the acute treatment of probable migraine without aura. Methods: Patients treated a headache of probable migraine without aura when pain was moderate or severe with sumatriptan/naproxen sodium (n=222 intent-to-treat (ITT)) or placebo (n=221 ITT/complete case analysisa) in this randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study. Results: Sumatriptan/naproxen sodium was more effective than placebo with respect to the co-primary efficacy endpointstwo-hour pain-free response (29% sumatriptan/naproxen sodium vs 11% placebo, p<0.001) and two- to 24-hour sustained pain-free response (24% sumatriptan/naproxen sodium vs 9% placebo, p<0.001). Sumatriptan/naproxensodium was significantly more effective than placebo with respect to the secondary efficacy endpoints of pain-free response four hours postdose (p<0.001), pain-free response maintained one to two hours postdose (p=0.034) andtwo to four hours postdose (p<0.001), headache relief four hours postdose (p<0.001), headache relief maintained twoto four hours postdose (p=0.015), sustained headache relief two through 24 hours postdose (p=0.002), and rescuemedication use (p<0.001); but not productivity scores. The most common adverse events were dizziness (4% sumatriptan/naproxen sodium,<1% placebo), dry mouth (2% sumatriptan/naproxen sodium, <1% placebo), and nausea (2%sumatriptan/naproxen sodium, <1% placebo).Conclusion: Sumatriptan/naproxen sodium is effective in the acute treatment of probable migraine as demonstrated by higher rates of freedom from pain and restoration of function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study examining the prevalence and characterization of headache following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in the U.S. The persistence of headache within a year after mTBI is highlighted. The need to determine the responsiveness of post-traumatic headache (PTH) to headache treatment is emphasized.

Background: According to the third beta edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorder (ICHD-3 beta), the diagnostic criteria for tension-type headache (TTH) might lead to the inclusion of individuals with headaches showing migrainous features. To better define TTH, the alternative diagnostic criteria were proposed in the appendix of ICHD-3 beta. This study attempted to test the alternative criteria for diagnosis of TTH proposed in ICHD-3 beta in a population-based sample from Korea. Methods: We selected participants from the Korean population aged 19–69 years using stratified random sampling and evaluated them by interview using a questionnaire designed to identify headache type, headache characteristics, and psychiatric comorbidities. Results: Of the 2,762 participants, 586 (21.3%) were diagnosed as having TTH using the standard criteria. Among these, 238 (40.6%) were also classified as having TTH using the alternative criteria. All 238 TTH subjects first diagnosed as having TTH by the alternative criteria were also classified as having TTH by the standard criteria. If the standard criteria were not applied, the remaining 348 patients were subclassified as having probable migraine (115, 19.6%) and unclassified headache (233, 39.7%). Compared with subjects diagnosed with TTH using the standard criteria, those diagnosed using the alternative criteria were less likely to demonstrate unilateral, pulsating headache, which is aggravated by movement, photophobia, phonophobia, and osmophobia. Conclusion: Using the alternative criteria, less than half of the subjects with TTH according to the standard criteria were classified as having TTH. All the subjects with TTH by the alternative criteria were classified as having TTH by the standard criteria. This study also demonstrated that subjects diagnosed with TTH using the standard criteria could include people with headaches showing migrainous features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Epidemiological data on probable migraine (PM) in Asia have rarely been reported. This study aimed to assessthe prevalence, clinical characteristics, and disability of PM in comparison with strict migraine (SM) in Korea.Methods: The Korean Headache Survey (KHS) is a nationwide interview survey that investigates the status of headachedisorders among adults aged 19-69. We used data from the KHS.Results: In a representative sample of 1507 individuals, the one-year prevalence of SM was 6.0%, and that of PM was11.5%. Most PM sufferers missed the criterion of typical headache duration (82.0%). Multivariable regression analyses revealed that PM sufferers had an increased odds ratio (OR) for mild headache intensity (OR=2.08; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11-3.90) and decreased ORs for living in a small city (OR=0.50; 95% CI: 0.26-0.94), living in a rural area(OR=0.36; 95% CI: 0.14-0.92) and headache frequency five to nine days per month (OR=0.29; 95% CI: 0.11-0.78)compared to SM sufferers. Some SM and PM sufferers experienced decreased activity (26.4% in SM vs. 18.0% in PM) andmissed activity (12.1% in SM vs. 14.4% in PM) due to headache. Conclusions: PM is a prevalent headache disorder in Korea. Some sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of PM are different from those of SM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The strikingly higher prevalence of migraine in females compared with males is one of the hallmarks of migraine. A large global body of evidence exists on the sex differences in the prevalence of migraine with female to male ratios ranging from 2 : 1 to 3 : 1 and peaking in midlife. Some data are available on sex differences in associated symptoms, headache-related disability and impairment, and healthcare resource utilization in migraine. Few data are available on corresponding sex differences in probable migraine ( PM) and other severe headache (ie, nonmigraine-spectrum severe headache). Gaining a clear understanding of sex differences in a range of severe headache disorders may help differentiate the range of headache types. Herein, we compare sexes on prevalence and a range of clinical variables for migraine, PM, and other severe headache in a large sample from the US population. Methods This study analyzed data from the 2004 American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention Study. Total and demographic-stratified sex-specific, prevalence estimates of headache subtypes (migraine, PM, and other severe headache) are reported. Log-binomial models are used to calculate sex-specific adjusted prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals for each across demographic strata. A smoothed sex prevalence ratio (female to male) figure is presented for migraine and PM. Results One hundred sixty-two thousand seven hundred fifty-six individuals aged 12 and older responded to the 2004 American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention Study survey (64.9% response rate). Twenty-eight thousand two hundred sixty-one (17.4%) reported 'severe headache' in the preceding year (23.5% of females and 10.6% of males), 11.8% met International Classification of Headache Disorders-2 criteria for migraine (17.3% of females and 5.7% of males), 4.6% met criteria for PM (5.3% of females and 3.9% of males), and 1.0% were categorized with other severe headache (0.9% of females and 1.0% of males). Sex differences were observed in the prevalence of migraine and PM, but not for other severe headache. Adjusted female to male prevalence ratios ranged from 1.48 to 3.25 across the lifetime for migraine and from 1.22 to 1.53 for PM. Sex differences were also observed in associated symptomology, aura, headache-related disability, healthcare resource utilization, and diagnosis for migraine and PM. Despite higher rates of migraine diagnosis by a healthcare professional, females with migraine were less likely than males to be using preventive pharmacologic treatment for headache. Conclusions In this large, US population sample, both migraine and PM were more common among females, but a sex difference was not observed in the prevalence of other severe headache. The sex difference in migraine and PM held true across age and for most other sociodemographic variables with the exception of race for PM. Females with migraine and PM had higher rates of most migraine symptoms, aura, greater associated impairment, and higher healthcare resource utilization than males. Corresponding sex differences were not observed among individuals with other severe headache on the majority of these comparisons. Results suggest that PM is part of the migraine spectrum whereas other severe headache types are not. Results also substantiate existing literature on sex differences in primary headaches and extend results to additional headache types and related factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migraine and headache are global disabling conditions causing considerable individual suffering and impaired quality of life in adults as well as in children and adolescents. Therefore, epidemiological studies are essential to assess the scope of the problem. This review covers epidemiological studies on migraine and headache in children and adolescents published in the past 25 years. A total of 64 cross-sectional studies have been identified, published in 32 different countries and including a total of 227,249 subjects. The estimated overall mean prevalence of headache was 54.4 % (95 % CI 43.1-65.8) and the overall mean prevalence of migraine was 9.1 % (95 % CI 7.1-11.1). There is a lack of population-based studies from low and low-middle income countries. In addition, there is very little information about the prevalence of probable migraine and chronic migraine and no information about menstrual migraine in the young. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Headache is a common and persistent symptom following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Headaches following TBI are defined primarily by their temporal association to injury, but have no defining clinical features. To provide a framework for treatment, primary headache symptoms were used to characterize headache.Methods: Three hundred and seventy-eight participants were prospectively enrolled during acute in-patient rehabilitation for TBI. Headaches were classified into migraine/probable migraine, tension-type, or cervicogenic headache at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months following TBI.Results: Migraine was the most frequent headache type occurring in up to 38% of participants who reported headaches. Probable migraine occurred in up to 25%, tension-type headache in up to 21%, then cervicogenic headache in up to 10%. Females were more likely to have endorsed pre-injury migraine than males, and had migraine or probable migraine at all time points after injury. Those classified with migraine were more likely to have frequent headaches.Conclusions: Our data show that most headache after TBI may be classified using primary headache criteria. Migraine/probable migraine described the majority of headache after TBI across one year post-injury. Using symptom-based criteria for headache following TBI can serve as a framework from which to provide evidence-based treatment for these frequent, severe, and persistent headaches. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Tension type headache (TTH) is the most common primary headache disorder, but it is a diagnosis for which patients infrequently present for evaluation in the outpatient setting. Performing a thorough evaluation and establishing the correct diagnosis is essential in formulating an effective treatment plan. There are many complex issues that, although not causative, may play an exacerbating role in TTH. This article reviews the epidemiology, diagnosis, and pharmacologic treatment of TTH. In addition, nonpharmacologic treatment approaches, sleep dysfunction, and temporomandibular dysfunction are reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

( Headache 2011;51:208-219) Intimate partner violence (IPV) among women is a global public health problem. The association between childhood maltreatment and migraine is well established, but not the association between IPV and migraine. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the relationship between type and severity of IPV and migraine in a large cohort of Peruvian women. Women who delivered singleton infants (n = 2066) at the Instituto Nacional Materno Perinatal, Lima, Peru were interviewed during their postpartum hospital stay. Participants were queried about their lifetime experiences with headaches and migraine, and with physical and sexual violence. The International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-2) diagnostic criteria were used to classify participants according to their migraine status. Questions on physical and sexual violence were adapted from the protocol of Demographic Health Survey Questionnaires and Modules: Domestic Violence Module and the World Health Organization (WHO) Multi-Country Study on Violence against Women. Depressive symptoms were assessed using a modified version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Logistic regression was used to estimate multivariate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Compared with women without a history of violence, women with experiences of lifetime physical or sexual violence (aOR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.19-1.75), physical violence only (aOR = 1.36, 95% CI 1.10-1.68), sexual violence only (aOR = 1.76, 95% CI 0.97-3.21), and both physical and sexual violence (aOR = 1.61, 95% CI 1.12-2.31) had increased odds of any migraine after adjusting for maternal age, parity, and access to basic foods. There was no gradient of increased odds of any migraine with severity of physical violence. The relationship between IPV and any migraine was strongest among women with moderate to severe levels of depressive symptoms. The odds of any migraine was increased 2.25-fold (95% CI 1.75-2.28) among abused women who also had moderate to severe levels of depressive symptomology compared with women who were not abused and had none or mild levels of depressive symptomology. Associations from sensitivity analyze that segregated women according to probable migraine (ICHD-2 category 1.6.1) and migraine (ICHD-2 category 1.1) diagnoses were of similar magnitudes as those reported here for women with any migraine diagnoses. IPV, particularly sexual violence, appears to be a risk factor for migraine. Our findings suggest the potential importance of considering a history of violence among migraineurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: Population-based epidemiological studies about headaches, especially migraine, have been carried out in many countries. The aim of this study was to assess the 1-year prevalence of migraine, probable migraine and tension-type headache (TTH) in the Croatian population. Methods: The design of the study was a cross-sectional survey of an adult population sample using a self-completed questionnaire. Results: The 1-year crude prevalence of migraine without and with aura in this study was 7.5%, of probable migraine 11.3%, and of TTH 21.2%. The 1-year age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of migraine was 6.2%, of probable migraine 8.8%, and of TTH 20.7%; the prevalence of migraine combined with probable migraine was 15.0%. Total crude prevalence of headache (combination of migraine, probable migraine and TTH) was 39.9%. Prevalence of migraine was higher in continental than in Mediterranean areas of Croatia. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the highest risk of suffering from any kind of headache is observed for the following people: living in Dubrovnik, being female, having elementary or high school education, being married, employed and living in an urban or suburban area. Conclusion: The prevalence of migraine and probable migraine is similar as in other Western countries. Certain demographic characteristics differ among patients with and without headache. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess the treatment patterns of migraine and tension-type headache in the Croatian population. Analysis included the proportion of patients who were taking specific antimigraine therapy and the number of tablets per attack per month, the proportion of patients who were taking prophylactic therapy or using alternative treatment methods and their satisfaction with the treatment. The design of the study was a cross-sectional survey. Self-completed questionnaires were randomly distributed to adults >18 years of age in the Croatian population. A total of 616 questionnaires were analyzed: 115 patients with migraine (M), 327 patients with tension-type headache (TTH), and 174 patients with probable migraine (PM) and TTH. Specific antimigraine therapy was taken by half of patients with migraine: 35.7% of patients used triptans and 21.7% ergotamines. Prophylactic treatment had been used by 13.9% of M, 1.2% of TTH, and 6.9% of PM patients. Alternative methods of treatment were tried by 27% of M and TTH patients. Only 16.8% of patients with M pay regular visits to physicians, while 36.3% never visited a physician. More than half of TTH patients have never visited a physician. The majority of patients are only partially satisfied with their current treatment, and almost one-third are not satisfied. Results of this study indicate that the treatment of primary headaches in Croatia should be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are a significant number of famous people who suffered from frequent headaches during their lifetime while also exerting an influence of some kind on politics or the course of history. One such person was Anneliese Marie Frank, the German-born Jewish teenager better known as Anne Frank, who was forced into hiding during World War II. When she turned 13, she received a diary as a present, named it 'Kitty' and started to record her experiences and feelings. She kept the diary during her period in hiding, describing her daily life, including the feeling of isolation, her fear of being discovered, her admiration for her father and her opinion about women's role in society, as well as the discovery of her own sexuality. She sometimes reported a headache that disturbed her tremendously. The 'bad' to 'terrifying' and 'pounding' headache attacks, which were accompanied by vomiting and during which she felt like screaming to be left alone, matched the International Headache Society criteria for probable migraine, whereas the 'more frequent headaches' described by Anne's father are more likely to have been tension-type headaches than headaches secondary to ocular or other disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Probable migraine (PM) is a prevalent migraine subtype fulfilling all but one criterion for migraine with or without aura. The aims of this study were: (i) to describe the epidemiology, medical recognition and patterns of treatment for PM in the USA; (ii) to compare the patterns of preventive PM treatment in the population with expert panel guidelines for preventive treatment. A validated self-administered headache questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of 120 000 US households. Subjects were classified as PM according to the second edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-2). The questionnaire also assessed patterns of migraine treatment. Guidelines for preventive medication use were developed by a panel of headache experts, who used headache frequency and impairment to assess the need for preventive therapy and the gap between current and ideal use. Our sample consisted of 162 576 individuals aged ≥12 years. The 1-year period prevalence of PM was 4.5% (3.9% in men and 5.1% in women). In women and men, prevalence was higher in middle life, between the ages of 30 and 59 years. The prevalence of PM was significantly higher in African-Americans than in Whites (female 7.4% vs. 4.8%; male 4.8% vs. 3.7%) and inversely related to household income. During their headaches, most (48.2%) had at least some impairment, while 22.1% were severely disabled. The vast majority (97%) of PM sufferers used acute treatments, although 71% usually treated with over-the-counter medication. Most PM sufferers (52.8%) never used a migraine-preventive treatment and only 7.9% were currently using preventive medication. According to the expert panel guidelines, prevention should be offered (16.9%) or considered (11.5%) for 28.4% of the PM sufferers in the survey. We conclude that PM is a frequent, undertreated, sometimes disabling disorder. It has an epidemiological profile similar to migraine. In contrast to migraine, which is less prevalent in African-Americans than in Whites, PM is more prevalent in African-Americans than in Whites. In the USA, many with PM do not receive adequate treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective.—To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of sumatriptan tablets in adults who meet International Headache Society (IHS) criteria for probable migraine but who do not meet IHS criteria for migraine with or without aura. Background.—Headaches with some but not all of the features of migraine meet criteria for probable migraine, a form of migraine recognized by the IHS. Probable migraine attacks are also prevalent and frequently underdiagnosed. Methods.—This was a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. Adults (18 to 65 years) with a 1-year history of headaches that met 2004 IHS criteria for probable migraine without aura (same operational definition as 1988 IHS migrainous disorder) were eligible for enrollment. All patients were triptan- and ergot-naïve and had never been diagnosed with migraine. Patients were randomized in a 1:1:1:1 fashion to receive sumatriptan 25, 50, or 100 mg conventional tablets or matching placebo and were instructed to treat a single moderate or severe probable migraine attack. A post hoc analysis was conducted to evaluate the population of patients who achieved headache relief sustained throughout the immediate posttreatment period. Patients who reported relief within 2 hours and subsequently lost headache relief within 4 hours were considered nonresponders. Results.—At 2 hours, more patients treated with sumatriptan achieved headache relief, the primary efficacy measure, compared with placebo, but differences only approached statistical significance for 100 mg ( P= .053). The 2-hour headache relief rate in the sumatriptan 25 or 50 mg groups was not significantly different than placebo. The time to use of rescue was significantly shorter in the placebo group compared with the sumatriptan 100 mg group ( P= .002). The time to use of rescue in the sumatriptan 25 or 50 mg groups was not significantly different than placebo. More patients treated with placebo (22%) lost headache relief within 4 hours compared with patients treated with sumatriptan 25 mg (17%), 50 mg (14%), or 100 mg (7%). A post hoc analysis demonstrated that at 2 hours, headache relief sustained through 4 hours (S 0–4 hours) was achieved in 44%, 49%, and 57% of patients treated with sumatriptan 25, 50, and 100 mg, respectively, compared with 34% of patients treated with placebo ( P < .05 for sumatriptan 50 and 100 mg vs. placebo). All doses of sumatriptan were well tolerated and no serious adverse events were reported. Conclusion.—These results suggest that oral sumatriptan may be effective and is well tolerated for the acute treatment of probable migraine without aura, however, the difference between sumatriptan and placebo was not statistically significant for the a priori defined primary endpoint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this study were to assess the proportion of subjects with strict migraine (SM, migraine with and without aura), probable migraine (PM), and all migraine (AM, SM and PM pooled together), who receive a medical diagnosis or a specific treatment within a health plan. Eligible participants were 18–55-year participants of a non-profit health maintenance organization (HMO) who had received out-patient, emergency department, or in-patient care from a physician within the past year. We used a validated computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) survey to identify SM, PM and controls (received out-patient, emergency department, or in-patient care from a physician for any reason within the past year, but did not have SM or PM) . Medical and prescription drug claims for the 24-month period were linked to participant files. Among 8579 respondents, we identified 1265 SM sufferers and 1252 PM sufferers, which were compared with 960 randomly selected controls. Just 194 (15.3%) SM, 21 (1.7%) PM, and 215 (8.5%) AM sufferers received an in-patient or out-patient primary migraine claim in the previous 24 months, compared with six (0.5%) controls; 240 (18.9%) SM, 39 (3.1%) PM, 279 (11.1%) AM sufferers, and eight controls (0.6%) received any migraine claim. There were claims for migraine drugs (ICD-9 code for triptans or ergot compounds) for just 140 (11.1%) SM and 34 (2.7%) PM sufferers, and migraine analgesics (butalbital and isomethepthene compounds), for 6.3% SM and 2.2% PM sufferers (0.7% of the controls). Migraine preventives were used for a larger number of SM and PM sufferers (19.6% and 13.1%), but also for controls (10.5%), indicating that they were probably used for other medical reasons. Both SM and PM are underdiagnosed and undertreated within a health plan. Educational strategies should focus on physician education addressing diagnosing the full spectrum of migraine and physician management of migraine with specific migraine therapy in appropriate patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2004 International Headache Society (IHS) classification of headache disorders introduced the new category of probable migraine defined by the existence of all but one of typical migraine criteria. FRAMIG 3, the first nationwide population-based survey performed in France using the 2004 IHS classification, assessed the prevalence of probable migraine and compared its features and management with those of strict migraine. Of a representative sample of 10 532 adult subjects interviewed, 1179 subjects (11.2%) were diagnosed as having strict migraine and 1066 (10.1%) as having probable migraine. The criterion most frequently missing was typical headache duration (4–72 h) and most subjects with probable headache had shorter average headache duration. Migraine severity and disability, although lower than those noted in subjects with strict migraine, were significant in subjects with probable migraine and quality of life impairment was identical among the two groups of migraine sufferers. Strict and probable migraine, which have similar prevalence and impact on migraine subjects, deserve similar medical and therapeutic management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vuillaume De Diego E&Lanteri-Minet M. Recognition and management of migraine in primary care: influence of functional impact measured by the headache impact test (HIT). Cephalalgia 2004. London. ISSN 0333-1024The objective of the present study was to investigate the influence of headache-related disability on the recognition and management of migraine by French general practitioners (GPs). Forty-nine teaching GPs at the Faculty of Medicine in the Nice-Sophia-Antipolis University were involved in this study. On one day, each patient who presented during the surgery hours of these GPs was invited to complete a questionnaire aimed at identifying if he/she was a headache sufferer and, if so, whether the headache corresponded to migraine and had an impact on his/her functional ability. Functional disability was measured by the short-form of the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6). Being blind to the patients’ responses, the GPs completed a questionnaire for each patient aimed at identifying if he/she considered the patient to suffer from migraine and, if so, whether he/she managed the patient for migraine. A total of 696 patients were included in this study and 289 (41.52%) of them had episodic headache. According to the new International Headache Society (IHS) criteria, 113 (16.24%) patients suffered from headache without migrainous features and 176 (25.29%) patients were migraine sufferers (migraine according to IHS categories 1.1 and 1.2.1: 11.21%, and probable migraine according to IHS categories 1.6.1 and 1.6.2: 14.08%). The mean HIT score of these migraine sufferers was 59.1 ± 8.8 and 50% of them presented with a very severe impact score (HIT score>60). Among the 176 migraine sufferers, 105 (59.7%) were not recognized as having migraine, 21 (11.9%) were recognized as having migraine but without migraine management and 50 (28.4%) were recognized as having migraine with migraine management. Recognition of migraine by GPs was statistically associated with the HIT score (OR = 1.105, 95% CI: 1.056–1.157,P < 0.001) and with the 1.1 and 1.2.1 IHS diagnostic categories (OR = 2.942, 95% CI: 1.286–5.025,P = 0.0107) whereas management of patients recognized as having migraine was only associated with the patient's age (OR = 1.051, 95% CI: 1.000–1.104,P = 0.0486). These results indicate that the continuing medical education of GPs should focus on the diagnosis of migraine and its impact on the lifestyle of the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between migraines and the menstrual cycle in prepubertal and pubertal girls was analyzed retrospectively in 896 girls, aged 9 to 18 years (mean age 14.3 years), attending a pediatric Headache Center at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, OH.

Objective.— To investigate whether the use of more detailed close-ended questions as part of the routine headache history is helpful when patients initially deny that they are sensitive to light and noise during migraine headaches. Background.— According to the International Headache Society 2004 criteria, the diagnosis of migraine requires the presence of at least one of the following during a headache: (1) nausea and/or vomiting, (2) photophobia and phonophobia. Evans anecdotally noted that many patients answer the question, “does light or noise bother you during a headache,” with a “no” when the answer is really “yes” if they are asked more detailed close-ended questions. Methods.— Consecutive patients fulfilling International Headache Society 2004 criteria for migraine or probable migraine presenting to a headache clinic and a neurology clinic were asked the following questions: “does light bother you during a headache?” If “no,” they were then asked, “during a headache, would you prefer to be in bright sunlight or in a dark room?”“does noise bother you during a headache?” If “no,” they were then asked, “during a headache, would you prefer to be in a room with loud music or in a quiet room?” Results.— Eighty-five consecutive patients with migraine or probable migraine were questioned, 71 females (83.5%) and 14 males (16.5%). There was denial of light and sound sensitivity in 24% of patients with routine questioning and then awareness of sensitivity in 93% with the further questioning. A total of 7.1% of the patients were diagnosed with probable migraine. Conclusion.— When patients initially deny light and noise sensitivity during migraine headaches, additional questions should be asked to ensure that their answer is accurate. Not asking the additional questions may result in the over-diagnosis of probable migraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]