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Chronic Daily Headache (chronic + daily_headache)
Selected AbstractsCHRONIC DAILY HEADACHE AND MEDICATION-OVERUSE HEADACHEHEADACHE, Issue 10 2004Article first published online: 10 NOV 200 No abstract is available for this article. [source] Comprehensive Inpatient Treatment of Refractory Chronic Daily HeadacheHEADACHE, Issue 4 2009Alvin E. Lake III PhD Objective., (1) To assess outcome at discharge for a consecutive series of admissions to a comprehensive, multidisciplinary inpatient headache unit; (2) To identify outcome predictors. Background., An evidence-based assessment (2004) concluded that many refractory headache patients appear to benefit from inpatient treatment, underscoring the need for more research, including outcome predictors. Methods., The authors completed a retrospective chart review of 283 consecutive admissions over 6 months. The inpatient program (mean length of stay = 13.0 days) included intravenous and oral medication protocols, drug withdrawal when indicated, cognitive-behavior therapy, and other services when needed, including anesthesiological intervention. Patient-reported pain levels and consensus of medical staff determined outcome status. Results., The 267 completers (94%) included 212 women and 55 men (mean age = 40.3 years, range = 13-74) from 43 states and Canada. The modal diagnosis was intractable, chronic daily headache (85%), predominantly migraine. Most (59%) had medication overuse headache (MOH), involving opioids (48%), triptans (16%), or butalbital-containing analgesics (10%). Psychiatric diagnoses included stress-related headache (82%), mood disorders (70%), anxiety disorders (49%), and personality disorders (PD, 26%). More patients with a PD (62%) had opioid-related MOH than those with no PD (38%), P < .005. Of the completers, 78% had moderate to significant pain reduction, with comparable improvement in mood, function, and behavior. Clinical factors predicting moderate-significant headache improvement were limited to MOH (84% vs 69%, P < .007) and presence of a PD (68% vs 81%, P < .03). Conclusions., Most patients (78%) improved following aggressive, comprehensive inpatient treatment. Maintenance of improvement is likely to depend on multiple post-discharge factors, including continuity of care, compliance, and home or work environment. [source] From Migraine To Chronic Daily Headache: The Biological Basis of Headache TransformationHEADACHE, Issue 8 2007Ian D. Meng PhD Migraine headache carries the potential of transforming into chronic daily headache (CDH) over a period of time. Although several risk factors for migraine progression to CDH have been identified, the biological basis of this transformation is unknown. In this review, the consequences of stressful life events and medication overuse, 2 risk factors associated with the development of CDH, on brain processes involved in headache are examined. The extensive overlap in both neural circuitry and cellular events that occur with stress, medication overuse, and migraine provide insight into potential mechanisms that may lead to CDH. Particular attention is devoted to the effect of stress and medication overuse on peripheral and central neuroimmune interactions that can facilitate pain signaling. These interactions include the degranulation of mast cells in the dura, causing the sensitization of primary afferent neurons, as well as the activation of glial cells in the brain that can lead to central sensitization. It is hypothesized that the biological processes involved in migraine headache are directly impacted by stress, medication overuse, and other risk factors, resulting in a reduced threshold for induction of headache and transformation of episodic migraine to CDH. [source] A Retrospective, Comparative Study on the Frequency of Abuse in Migraine and Chronic Daily HeadacheHEADACHE, Issue 3 2007B. Lee Peterlin DO Objective.,To assess and contrast the relative frequency of a past history of physical and/or sexual abuse in patients with chronic daily headache (CDH) versus migraine. Background.,A number of risk factors have been identified as risk factors for chronification of headache disorders. Limited data exist regarding the influence of physical and/or sexual abuse on primary headache disorders. Methods.,This was a retrospective chart review of 183 consecutive new headache patients seen from December 2004 through August 2005 at an outpatient tertiary-care center. Patients were included in the study if they had chronic daily headache (with criteria for medication over-use headache or chronic migraine), or migraine with or without aura. A history of physical and/or sexual abuse was systematically asked of all headache patients at their first visit in the clinic. This information was then transferred to a semi-standardized form and the relative frequency of abuse in both groups contrasted. Results.,Of the 161 patients included in the study, 90.1% were female with a mean age of 36.4 ± 12.0. A total of 59.0% of the patients were diagnosed with CDH and 41.0% were diagnosed with migraine. Overall, 34.8% of all patients, 40.0% of CDH patients, and 27.3% of migraine patients had a history of physical and/or sexual abuse. The relative frequency of a history of physical and/or sexual abuse was higher in the CDH group as compared to the migraine group (P= .048). Conclusion.,The relative frequency of abuse is higher in CDH sufferers than migraineurs, suggesting that physical and sexual abuse may be risk factors for chronification. [source] Botulinum Toxin Type A (Botox) for Prophylactic Treatment of Chronic Daily Headache: A ResponseHEADACHE, Issue 3 2006Ninan T. Mathew MD No abstract is available for this article. [source] Olanzapine in the Treatment of Refractory Migraine and Chronic Daily HeadacheHEADACHE, Issue 6 2002Stephen D. Silberstein MD Background.,Olanzapine, a thienobenzodiazepine, is a new "atypical" antipsychotic drug. Olanzapine's pharmacologic properties suggest it would be effective for headaches, and its propensity for inducing acute extrapyramidal reactions or tardive dyskinesia is relatively low. We thus decided to assess the value of olanzapine in the treatment of chronic refractory headache. Methods.,We reviewed the records of 50 patients with refractory headache who were treated with olanzapine for at least 3 months. All previously had failed treatment with at least four preventative medications. The daily dose of olanzapine varied from 2.5 to 35 mg; most patients (n = 19) received 5 mg or 10 mg (n = 17) a day. Results.,Treatment resulted in a statistically significant decrease in headache days relative to baseline, from 27.5 ± 4.9 before treatment to 21.1±10.7 after treatment (P < .001, Student t test). The difference in headache severity (0 to 10 scale) before treatment (8.7±1.6) and after treatment (2.2 ± 2.1) was also statistically significant (P < .001). Conclusion.,Olanzapine may be effective for patients with refractory headache, including those who have failed a number of other prophylactic agents. Olanzapine should receive particular consideration for patients with refractory headache who have mania, bipolar disorder, or psychotic depression or whose headaches previously responded to other neuroleptic medications. [source] Diagnostic Testing for Chronic Daily HeadacheHEADACHE, Issue 6 2002Randolph W. Evans MD First page of article [source] Opiate Use to Control Bowel Motility May Induce Chronic Daily Headache in Patients With MigraineHEADACHE, Issue 3 2001S.M. Wilkinson MD Objectives.,To investigate whether opiate overuse might cause chronic daily headache in those with migraine, we studied patients who were taking codeine (or other opiates) for control of bowel motility after colectomy for ulcerative colitis. Background.,Analgesic overuse is considered by many to be one factor which can result in the transformation of migraine into a chronic daily headache pattern. Most of the evidence for this comes from patients with migraine who are taking increasing amounts of analgesia for headache. Many of these patients revert to an intermittent migraine pattern once the analgesics are stopped. Methods.,Women who were 1 year postcolectomy for ulcerative colitis were identified in several colorectal surgery practices in Calgary. They were sent a questionnaire designed to determine if they had a history of migraine prior to surgery, if they currently had chronic daily headache, what medications they were taking to control bowel motility, and what medications they were taking for headache. Results.,Twenty-eight patients who met our inclusion criteria returned completed questionnaires. Eight of these exceeded the recommended limits for opiate use in patients with headache. Eight patients met diagnostic criteria for migraine. Two patients had chronic daily headache starting after surgery. Both used daily opiates beginning after their surgery, and both had a history of migraine. The other six patients who used opiates daily did not have a history of migraine and did not have chronic daily headache. All patients with migraine who used daily opiates to control bowel motility following surgery developed chronic daily headache after surgery. Conclusions.,Patients with migraine who use daily opiates for any reason are at high risk of developing transformed migraine with chronic daily headache. This risk appears much lower in patients without a history of migraine who use opiates for nonpain indications. [source] Chronic daily headache with medication overuse: predictors of outcome 1 year after withdrawal therapyEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 6 2009M. G. Bøe Background and purpose:, We examined prospectively the results of withdrawal therapy in 80 patients with probable medication overuse headache. The aim was to identify baseline patient characteristics that might predict outcome after 1 year (end of study). Methods:, We classified patients according to results of withdrawal therapy measured as the improvement of headache days (HD) from baseline to end of study. Results:, Thirty-six per cent (29/80) had at least 50% improvement. Sixty-four per cent (51/80) had <50% improvement, and among these, 30% (24/80) had <10% improvement. The following baseline characteristics were associated with poor outcome of withdrawal therapy: use of codeine-containing drugs, low self-reported sleep quality, and high self-reported bodily pain as measured by the quality of life tool SF-36. Conclusion:, Before suggesting withdrawal therapy, one should probably pay more close attention to sleep problems. [source] Migraine: diagnosis and managementINTERNAL MEDICINE JOURNAL, Issue 9-10 2003P. J. Goadsby Abstract Migraine is the most common form of disabling primary headache and affects approximately 12% of studied Caucasian populations. Non-pharmacological management of migraine largely consists of lifestyle advice to help sufferers avoid situations in which attacks will be triggered. Preventive treatments for migraine should usually be considered on the basis of attack frequency, particularly its trend to change with time, and tractability to acute care. Acute care treatments for migraine can be divided into non-specific treatments (general analgesics, such as aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and treatments relatively specific to migraine (ergotamine and the triptans). The triptans , sumatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, zolmitriptan, almotriptan, eletriptan and frovatriptan , are potent serotonin, 5-HT1B/1D, receptor agonists which represent a major advance in the treatment of acute migraine. Chronic daily headache in association with analgesic overuse is probably the major avoidable cause of headache disability in the developed world. (Intern Med J 2003; 33: 436,442) [source] Managing chronic headaches in the clinicINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 12 2004A.J. Dowson Summary Chronic daily headache (CDH), which is often linked to a history of migraine, tension-type headache and the abuse of headache medications, and cluster headache are the best known of the chronic headaches. These headaches may not be well recognised or well treated in primary care. This article outlines the development of management algorithms for these headache subtypes, designed for use by the primary care physician with an interest in headache. Principles of care for chronic headaches include implementation of screening procedures, differential diagnosis, tailoring of management to the individual's needs, proactive follow-up and a team approach to care. These principles can be customised to the headache subtype by the selection of appropriate therapies. The optimal treatments for CDH include physical therapy to the neck if there is any stiffness there, withdrawal of abused medications and treatment of any subsequent withdrawal symptoms and headache prophylaxis, together with the provision of acute medications as rescue therapy. Optimal treatments for cluster headache include short- and long-term prophylaxis to prevent the headaches developing and acute medications for use as rescue. If treatment is ineffective, alternative medications can be provided at follow-up, with the possibility of referral for refractory patients. [source] Role of botulinum toxin in migraine therapyDRUG DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH, Issue 7 2007Wilhelm J. Schulte-Mattler Abstract Botulinum toxin effectively blocks the release of acetylcholine from motor nerve terminals. Thus, botulinum toxin injections are well established in the treatment of disorders in which patients are impaired by involuntary muscle contractions. A remarkable pain reduction was frequently observed in these patients, and in vitro studies showed that botulinum toxin reduces not only the release of acetylcholine, but also the release of neuropeptides involved in pain perception. It was therefore hypothesized that botulinum toxin may help patients with pain not caused by muscular contractions, such as migraine or chronic daily headache, which includes chronic migraine. So far, the results of randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trials on botulinum toxin in a total of 2,612 patients with migraine or with chronic daily headache were published. A superiority of botulinum toxin compared with placebo injections could not clearly be confirmed in any of the studies. One hypothesis derived from these results was that subgroups of patients with migraine can be defined in whom botulinum toxin may be efficacious. This hypothesis awaits confirmation. Interestingly, the efficacy of both botulinum toxin and placebo injections was found to be significant and similar to the efficacy of established oral migraine treatment. This finding may help explain the enthusiasm that followed the first open-label use of botulinum in patients with migraine. Drug Dev Res 68:397,402, 2007. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Childhood Maltreatment and Migraine (Part II).HEADACHE, Issue 1 2010Emotional Abuse as a Risk Factor for Headache Chronification (Headache 2010;50:32-41) Objectives., To assess in a headache clinic population the relationship of childhood abuse and neglect with migraine characteristics, including type, frequency, disability, allodynia, and age of migraine onset. Background., Childhood maltreatment is highly prevalent and has been associated with recurrent headache. Maltreatment is associated with many of the same risk factors for migraine chronification, including depression and anxiety, female sex, substance abuse, and obesity. Methods., Electronic surveys were completed by patients seeking treatment in headache clinics at 11 centers across the United States and Canada. Physician-determined data for all participants included the primary headache diagnoses based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders-2 criteria, average monthly headache frequency, whether headaches transformed from episodic to chronic, and if headaches were continuous. Analysis includes all persons with migraine with aura, and migraine without aura. Questionnaire collected information on demographics, social history, age at onset of headaches, migraine-associated allodynic symptoms, headache-related disability (The Headache Impact Test-6), current depression (The Patient Health Questionnaire-9), and current anxiety (The Beck Anxiety Inventory). History and severity of childhood (<18 years) abuse (sexual, emotional, and physical) and neglect (emotional and physical) was gathered using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Results., A total of 1348 migraineurs (88% women) were included (mean age 41 years). Diagnosis of migraine with aura was recorded in 40% and chronic headache (,15 days/month) was reported by 34%. Transformation from episodic to chronic was reported by 26%. Prevalence of current depression was 28% and anxiety was 56%. Childhood maltreatment was reported as follows: physical abuse 21%, sexual abuse 25%, emotional abuse 38%, physical neglect 22%, and emotional neglect 38%. In univariate analyses, physical abuse and emotional abuse and neglect were significantly associated with chronic migraine and transformed migraine. Emotional abuse was also associated with continuous daily headache, severe headache-related disability, and migraine-associated allodynia. After adjusting for sociodemographic factors and current depression and anxiety, there remained an association between emotional abuse in childhood and both chronic (odds ratio [OR] = 1.77, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.19-2.62) and transformed migraine (OR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.25-2.85). Childhood emotional abuse was also associated with younger median age of headache onset (16 years vs 19 years, P = .0002). Conclusion., Our findings suggest that physical abuse, emotional abuse, and emotional neglect may be risk factors for development of chronic headache, including transformed migraine. The association of maltreatment and headache frequency appears to be independent of depression and anxiety, which are related to both childhood abuse and chronic daily headache. The finding that emotional abuse was associated with an earlier age of migraine onset may have implications for the role of stress responses in migraine pathophysiology. [source] Comprehensive Inpatient Treatment of Refractory Chronic Daily HeadacheHEADACHE, Issue 4 2009Alvin E. Lake III PhD Objective., (1) To assess outcome at discharge for a consecutive series of admissions to a comprehensive, multidisciplinary inpatient headache unit; (2) To identify outcome predictors. Background., An evidence-based assessment (2004) concluded that many refractory headache patients appear to benefit from inpatient treatment, underscoring the need for more research, including outcome predictors. Methods., The authors completed a retrospective chart review of 283 consecutive admissions over 6 months. The inpatient program (mean length of stay = 13.0 days) included intravenous and oral medication protocols, drug withdrawal when indicated, cognitive-behavior therapy, and other services when needed, including anesthesiological intervention. Patient-reported pain levels and consensus of medical staff determined outcome status. Results., The 267 completers (94%) included 212 women and 55 men (mean age = 40.3 years, range = 13-74) from 43 states and Canada. The modal diagnosis was intractable, chronic daily headache (85%), predominantly migraine. Most (59%) had medication overuse headache (MOH), involving opioids (48%), triptans (16%), or butalbital-containing analgesics (10%). Psychiatric diagnoses included stress-related headache (82%), mood disorders (70%), anxiety disorders (49%), and personality disorders (PD, 26%). More patients with a PD (62%) had opioid-related MOH than those with no PD (38%), P < .005. Of the completers, 78% had moderate to significant pain reduction, with comparable improvement in mood, function, and behavior. Clinical factors predicting moderate-significant headache improvement were limited to MOH (84% vs 69%, P < .007) and presence of a PD (68% vs 81%, P < .03). Conclusions., Most patients (78%) improved following aggressive, comprehensive inpatient treatment. Maintenance of improvement is likely to depend on multiple post-discharge factors, including continuity of care, compliance, and home or work environment. [source] Chronic Headache and Potentially Modifiable Risk Factors: Screening and Behavioral Management of Sleep DisordersHEADACHE, Issue 1 2008Jeanetta C. Rains PhD Sleep-related variables have been identified among risk factors for frequent and severe headache conditions. It has been postulated that migraine, chronic daily headache, and perhaps other forms of chronic headache are progressive disorders. Thus, sleep and other modifiable risk factors may be clinical targets for prevention of headache progression or chronification. The present paper is part of the special series of papers entitled "Chronification of Headache" describing the empirical evidence, future research directions, proposed mechanisms, and risk factors implicated in headache chronification as well as several papers addressing individual risk factors (ie, sleep disorders, medication overuse, psychiatric disorders, stress, obesity). Understanding the link between risk factors and headache may yield novel preventative and therapeutic approaches in the management of headache. The present paper in the special series reviews epidemiological research as a means of quantifying the relationship between chronic headache and sleep disorders (sleep-disordered breathing, insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, parasomnias) discusses screening for early detection and treatment of more severe and prevalent sleep disorders, and discusses fundamental sleep regulation strategies aimed at headache prevention for at-risk individuals. [source] From Migraine To Chronic Daily Headache: The Biological Basis of Headache TransformationHEADACHE, Issue 8 2007Ian D. Meng PhD Migraine headache carries the potential of transforming into chronic daily headache (CDH) over a period of time. Although several risk factors for migraine progression to CDH have been identified, the biological basis of this transformation is unknown. In this review, the consequences of stressful life events and medication overuse, 2 risk factors associated with the development of CDH, on brain processes involved in headache are examined. The extensive overlap in both neural circuitry and cellular events that occur with stress, medication overuse, and migraine provide insight into potential mechanisms that may lead to CDH. Particular attention is devoted to the effect of stress and medication overuse on peripheral and central neuroimmune interactions that can facilitate pain signaling. These interactions include the degranulation of mast cells in the dura, causing the sensitization of primary afferent neurons, as well as the activation of glial cells in the brain that can lead to central sensitization. It is hypothesized that the biological processes involved in migraine headache are directly impacted by stress, medication overuse, and other risk factors, resulting in a reduced threshold for induction of headache and transformation of episodic migraine to CDH. [source] A Retrospective, Comparative Study on the Frequency of Abuse in Migraine and Chronic Daily HeadacheHEADACHE, Issue 3 2007B. Lee Peterlin DO Objective.,To assess and contrast the relative frequency of a past history of physical and/or sexual abuse in patients with chronic daily headache (CDH) versus migraine. Background.,A number of risk factors have been identified as risk factors for chronification of headache disorders. Limited data exist regarding the influence of physical and/or sexual abuse on primary headache disorders. Methods.,This was a retrospective chart review of 183 consecutive new headache patients seen from December 2004 through August 2005 at an outpatient tertiary-care center. Patients were included in the study if they had chronic daily headache (with criteria for medication over-use headache or chronic migraine), or migraine with or without aura. A history of physical and/or sexual abuse was systematically asked of all headache patients at their first visit in the clinic. This information was then transferred to a semi-standardized form and the relative frequency of abuse in both groups contrasted. Results.,Of the 161 patients included in the study, 90.1% were female with a mean age of 36.4 ± 12.0. A total of 59.0% of the patients were diagnosed with CDH and 41.0% were diagnosed with migraine. Overall, 34.8% of all patients, 40.0% of CDH patients, and 27.3% of migraine patients had a history of physical and/or sexual abuse. The relative frequency of a history of physical and/or sexual abuse was higher in the CDH group as compared to the migraine group (P= .048). Conclusion.,The relative frequency of abuse is higher in CDH sufferers than migraineurs, suggesting that physical and sexual abuse may be risk factors for chronification. [source] Sleep and Headache Disorders: Clinical Recommendations for Headache ManagementHEADACHE, Issue 2006Jeanetta C. Rains PhD Clinical practice points were drawn from a review of sleep and headache disorders published in the regular issue of Headache (released in tandem with this supplement). The recommendations include: (1) Sleep as well as psychiatric disorders tend to become prevalent in more complex and severe headache patterns and regulation of sleep and mood may favorably impact headache threshold; (2) Specific headache patterns, irrespective of headache diagnosis, are suggestive of a potential sleep disorder (eg, "awakening" or morning headache, chronic daily headache); (3) Sleep disorders most implicated with headache include obstructive sleep apnea, primary insomnia, and circadian phase abnormalities, and treatment of such sleep disorders may improve or resolve headache; (4) Inexpensive screening tools (eg, sleep history interview, headache/sleep diary, validated questionnaires, prediction equations) aid identification of patients warranting polysomnography; and (5) Pharmacologic and behavioral therapies are effective in the regulation of sleep and are compatible with usual headache care. [source] Volume and Nature of Telephone Calls in a Specialty Headache PracticeHEADACHE, Issue 9 2002Elizabeth Loder MD Background.,No information exists regarding the contribution of patient-related telephone calls to the burden of headache practice. Objective.,To identify the nature and volume of patient-related telephone calls to a specialty headache practice over a 1-month period. Design and Methods.,The characteristics of all patient-related calls to a single headache practitioner occurring during July 2001 were documented. Information was obtained on the caller, reason for call, length of call, timing and day of call, stated importance of call, patient's principal headache diagnosis, and principal comorbid psychiatric disorder, if any. Results.,One hundred sixty-five outpatient headache-related calls were received in July 2001, 3.17 for every hour of headache clinic scheduled. A total of 65% of all calls was generated by just 36% of callers. Of the 32 patients who placed more than one call during the study period, 50% had chronic daily headache, 53% had a personality disorder, and 38% had both. Twenty-seven percent of all calls were placed by someone other than the patient, 58% involved requests for medication refills, and 17% reported a new symptom or medication side effect. Over half of all calls were placed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Relatively few occurred outside work hours; 18% of calls characterized as "emergency" and 36% of calls characterized as urgent involved requests for controlled substances. Most of these calls were placed by patients with personality disorders. None of the 11 calls characterized as emergency calls was judged so by the physician; only 19% of the urgent calls were judged so by the physician. Conclusions.,Telephone calls contribute substantially to the burden of caring for patients in a specialty headache practice. Patients with chronic daily headache and personality disorders contribute disproportionately to this telephone burden. Efforts to identify such patients at presentation and educate them regarding appropriate telephone use seem to be warranted. [source] Opiate Use to Control Bowel Motility May Induce Chronic Daily Headache in Patients With MigraineHEADACHE, Issue 3 2001S.M. Wilkinson MD Objectives.,To investigate whether opiate overuse might cause chronic daily headache in those with migraine, we studied patients who were taking codeine (or other opiates) for control of bowel motility after colectomy for ulcerative colitis. Background.,Analgesic overuse is considered by many to be one factor which can result in the transformation of migraine into a chronic daily headache pattern. Most of the evidence for this comes from patients with migraine who are taking increasing amounts of analgesia for headache. Many of these patients revert to an intermittent migraine pattern once the analgesics are stopped. Methods.,Women who were 1 year postcolectomy for ulcerative colitis were identified in several colorectal surgery practices in Calgary. They were sent a questionnaire designed to determine if they had a history of migraine prior to surgery, if they currently had chronic daily headache, what medications they were taking to control bowel motility, and what medications they were taking for headache. Results.,Twenty-eight patients who met our inclusion criteria returned completed questionnaires. Eight of these exceeded the recommended limits for opiate use in patients with headache. Eight patients met diagnostic criteria for migraine. Two patients had chronic daily headache starting after surgery. Both used daily opiates beginning after their surgery, and both had a history of migraine. The other six patients who used opiates daily did not have a history of migraine and did not have chronic daily headache. All patients with migraine who used daily opiates to control bowel motility following surgery developed chronic daily headache after surgery. Conclusions.,Patients with migraine who use daily opiates for any reason are at high risk of developing transformed migraine with chronic daily headache. This risk appears much lower in patients without a history of migraine who use opiates for nonpain indications. [source] Amitriptyline Treatment in Chronic Drug-Induced Headache: A Double-Blind Comparative Pilot StudyHEADACHE, Issue 2 2001S. Descombes MD Objective.,To assess the effects of amitriptyline and sudden analgesic withdrawal on headache frequency and quality of life in patients suffering from chronic daily headache related to analgesics abuse. Methods.,Seventeen nondepressed patients with chronic drug-induced headache were included in a 9-week, parallel-group, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. After abrupt analgesic withdrawal, amitriptyline or an active placebo (trihexyphenidyl) was started. The primary efficacy variable was headache frequency recorded on a headache diary in the last 4 weeks of each treatment. The secondary efficacy variable was quality of life (Nottingham Health Profile). Results.,Headache frequency decreased by 45% in the amitriptyline group and by 28% in the trihexyphenidyl group. Amitriptyline enhanced all the dimensions of quality of life and significantly improved emotional reaction and social isolation. Conclusion.,This pilot study suggests a beneficial effect of amitriptyline on headache frequency and quality of life for patients with chronic drug-induced headache. [source] Neurologic Diagnosis and Treatment in Patients with Computed Tomography and Nasal Endoscopy Negative Facial PainTHE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 11 2004Eric P. Paulson MD Abstract Objective: To determine the helpfulness of specialist neurology referral for patients with facial pain, a normal sinus computed tomography (CT) scan, and normal nasal endoscopy findings. Study Design: Prospective identification of patients and analysis of data approved by the Institutional Review Board. Methods: The data of 104 consecutive patients presenting with facial pain, a normal sinus CT scan, and normal nasal endoscopy findings were reviewed. The patients presented to a single rhinologist in a tertiary care institution. All patients were referred for specialist neurologic evaluation and potential treatment. Further information was obtained from a patient survey. Results: Of the 104 patients, 81 were women and 23 were men. The average age was 46 years (range, 22,85). Fifty-six had clear CT scans, 48 had minimal change, and all had negative endoscopies. Twenty-nine had previous unsuccessful sinus surgery. The average follow-up period was 10.5 months. Forty of 75 patients seeing a neurologist were seen on multiple occasions. Four percent of patients seen by a neurologist had an unsuspected serious intracranial diagnosis. The most common diagnoses were migraine (37%), rebound headache (17%), chronic daily headache (17%), and obstructive sleep apnea (16%). Overall, 58% improved on medical therapy; 60% of those with a clear CT scan improved, and 53% of those with minimal change on CT scan improved (P = .749). Conclusions: Facial pain remains a difficult symptom to diagnose and treat in rhinologic practice. Patients often undergo surgery without help. Most patients with facial pain, a normal sinus CT scan, and normal endoscopy findings benefit from neurologic consultation. Serious intracranial pathologic conditions can be excluded and diagnosis-specific pharmacogenetic therapy instituted with improvement in more than 50%. [source] |