22 research outputs found
O061. Frontal thermography in healthy individuals and headache patients: reliability of the method
No full textStudio di accuratezza e riproducibilità della termografia frontale nell cefalee primari
The evolution of headache from childhood to adulthood: a review of the literature
No full textHeadache is one of the most common disorders in childhood, with an estimated 75% of children reporting significant headache by the age of 15 years. Pediatric migraine is the most frequent recurrent headache disorder, occurring in up to 28% of older teenagers. Headaches rank third among the illness-related causes of school absenteeism and result in substantial psychosocial impairment among pediatric patients. The aim of this study was to clarify the evolution of the clinical features of primary headache in the transition from childhood to adulthood through a review of relevant data available in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases for the period 1988 to July 2013.The search strategy identified 15 published articles which were considered eligible for inclusion in the analysis (i.e., relevant to the investigation of pediatric headache outcome). All were carried out after the publication of the first version of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-I). The availability of data on the evolution of primary headaches over a period of time is important from both a clinical and a public health perspective. The identification of prognostic factors of the evolution of headache (remission or evolution into another headache form) over time should be an objective of future headache research for the development of prevention strategies. Given that headache is a major factor contributing to school absenteeism and poorer quality of life not only in childhood but also in adolescence, understanding the natural history and the management of the different headache forms is vital for our future
Frontal infrared thermography in healthy individuals and chronic migraine patients: Reliability of the method
No full textBackground The use of frontal infrared thermography in the diagnosis of primary headaches provided scattering results due to measurement fluctuations and different types of headaches or research protocols. Objective This study aims to assess the reliability of frontal infrared thermography in healthy individuals and provide a preliminary evaluation in chronic migraine patients using a commercial infrared thermal camera. Methods Thermographic images were acquired in 20 controls and 15 patients at three consecutive time-points in two daily sessions. The Side Difference and Asymmetry Index parameters were defined. The reproducibility of the measurements, the correlation of Asymmetry Index and Side Difference with clinical evaluations and patient perceptions, and the ability of the parameters to discriminate between patients and controls were investigated. Results We reported a good reproducibility of the measurements (Inter-class Correlation Coefficient > 0.75 and Coefficient of Variation < 13.4%), independent from external factors. The Side Difference was significantly different between patients and controls ( p < 0.001). The Asymmetry Index showed good correlation with the side of unilateral pain ( p = 0.0056). Conclusions Frontal infrared thermography can be used to quantify the difference between the right and the left side of frontal vascular changes in chronic migraine patients, provided that standardized conditions are satisfied
The evolution of headache from childhood to adulthood: a review of the literature.
No full textHeadache is one of the most common disorders in childhood, with an estimated 75% of children reporting significant headache by the age of 15 years. Pediatric migraine is the most frequent recurrent headache disorder, occurring in up to 28% of older teenagers. Headaches rank third among the illness-related causes of school absenteeism and result in substantial psychosocial impairment among pediatric patients. The aim of this study was to clarify the evolution of the clinical features of primary headache in the transition from childhood to adulthood through a review of relevant data available in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases for the period 1988 to July 2013.The search strategy identified 15 published articles which were considered eligible for inclusion in the analysis (i.e., relevant to the investigation of pediatric headache outcome). All were carried out after the publication of the first version of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-I). The availability of data on the evolution of primary headaches over a period of time is important from both a clinical and a public health perspective. The identification of prognostic factors of the evolution of headache (remission or evolution into another headache form) over time should be an objective of future headache research for the development of prevention strategies. Given that headache is a major factor contributing to school absenteeism and poorer quality of life not only in childhood but also in adolescence, understanding the natural history and the management of the different headache forms is vital for our future
Diagnostic and therapeutic errors in cluster headache: a hospital-based study.
No full textCluster headache (CH) is a severe, disabling form of headache. Even though CH has a typical clinical picture it seems that its diagnosis is often missed or delayed in clinical practice. CH patients may thus face: misdiagnosis, unnecessary investigations and delays in accessing adequate treatment. This study was conducted to investigate the occurrence of diagnostic and therapeutic errors with a view to improving the clinical and instrumental work-up in affected patients.
METHODS:
Our study comprised 144 episodic CH patients: 116 from Italy and 28 from Eastern European countries (Moldova, Ukraine, Bulgaria). One hundred six patients (73.6%) were examined personally and 38 (26.4%) were evaluated through telephone interviews conducted by headache specialists using an ad hoc questionnaire developed by the authors.
RESULTS:
The sample was predominantly male (M:F ratio 2.79:1) and had a mean age of 42.4 ± 9.8 years; approximately 76% of the patients had already consulted a physician about their CH at the onset of the disease. The mean interval between onset of the disease and first consultation at a headache center was 4.1 ± 5.6 years. The patients had consulted different specialists prior to receiving their CH diagnosis: neurologists (49%), primary care physicians (35%), ENT specialists (10%), dentists (3%), etc. Misdiagnoses at first consultation were recorded in 77% of the cases: trigeminal neuralgia (22%), migraine without aura (19%), sinusitis (15%), etc. The average "diagnostic delay" was 5.3 ± 6.4 years and the condition was diagnosed approximately ("doctor delay": one year). Instrumental and laboratory investigations were carried out in 93% of the patients prior to diagnosis of CH. Some of the patients had never received abortive or preventive medications, either before or after diagnosis. Medical prescription compliance: 88% of the cases.
CONCLUSIONS:
Our results emphasize the need to improve specialist education in this field in order to improve recognition of the clinical picture of CH and increase knowledge of the proper medical treatments for de novo CH. Continuous medical education on CH should target general neurologists, primary care physicians, ENT specialists and dentists. A study on a larger population of CH patients may further improve error-avoidance strategies
Pain in multiple sclerosis
No full textUSMF "Nicolae Testemiţanu", Institutul de Neurologie şi NeurochirurgieThe prevalence of the algic syndrome in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is between 42% and 86% (Svendsen 2004). The populational study, performed in Denmark in 2003 by Archibald et al., has emphasized that pain can influence the quality of life and the daily activities of the patients, their ability to work, their relationship with their partner, their parents and friends. This symptom influences the quality of life, even more than the lesions that cause disabilities. In this article there are exposed current data referring to the presence of pain in patients with MS, and one also exemplifies the case of a patient with MS and algic syndrome.
Prevalenţa sindromului algic la pacienţii cu scleroză multiplă (SM) este între 42% şi 86% (Svendsen 2004). Studiul populaţional efectuat în Danemarca, în 2003 de către Archibald et al. a evidenţiat că durerea poate influienţa calitatea vieţii şi activităţile zilnice ale pacienţilor, abilitatea lor de a lucra, relaţiile pacientului cu partenerul, cu părinţii şi amicii. Acest simptom afectează calitatea vieţii, mai mult chiar decât leziunile ce provoacă dizabilităţi. În acest articol sunt expuse date actuale din literatură referitoare la prezenţa durerii la pacienţii cu SM, la fel este ilustrat un caz clinic al unei paciente cu SM şi sindrom algic
