Ictal and Interictal Phonophobia in Migraine—A Quantitative Controlled Study

The aim of the study was to evaluate quantitatively ictal and interictal phonophobia in episodic migraine (EM). We included subjects with EM and age- and gender-matched controls. Sound stimuli were pure tones at frequencies of 1000, 4000 and 8000 Hz. Sound aversion thresholds (SATs) were determined as the minimal sound intensity perceived as unpleasant or painful. Migraineurs were examined both between and during attacks. We compared interictal SATs in migraineurs with those in controls. We also compared ictal and interictal SATs in migraineurs. Sixty migraineurs and 52 controls were included. Interictal mean SAT of migraineurs, averaged for the three frequencies, was significantly lower than that of controls [90.4 (0.8) dB vs. 105.9 (1.1) dB, respectively, P < 0.0001]. In migraineurs, mean ictal SAT, averaged for the three frequencies, was significantly lower than interictal SAT [76.0 (0.9) dB vs. 91.0 (0.8) dB, respectively, P < 0.0001]. Patients with EM exhibit increased sound aversion between attacks that is further augmented during an acute attack.

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Psychiatric disorders and social characteristics among second-generation Moroccan migrants in Belgium: An age–and gender–controlled study conducted in a psychiatric emergency department

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/s0924-9338(02)00707-1 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 17 (8) ◽

pp. 443-450 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

P. Fossion ◽

Y. Ledoux ◽

F. Valente ◽

L. Servais ◽

L. Staner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Second Generation ◽

Psychotic Disorders ◽

Multivariate Analyses ◽

Psychiatric Emergency ◽

Social Characteristics ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Age And Gender ◽

And Gender

SummaryPurpose.Clinically, one of the most consistent clinical findings among migrant patients is an increase in the rate of psychosis. The aim of the present study was to confirm this finding in Belgium by comparing second-generation Moroccan migrant patients with Belgian patients, matched for the variables of age and gender.Subjects and method.We conducted a cross-sectional survey on 272 patients admitted in a psychiatric emergency unit during the year 1998. We used univariate and multivariate analyses to compare the two subgroups.Results.Multivariate analyses showed that migrant patients lived more often with their parental family and that they presented a higher rate of admission for psychotic disorders and a lower rate of employment.Discussion.Our findings add to the growing body of results showing increased incidence of psychosis among immigrants to European countries, but several factors have to be taken into account, particularly with regard to selection biases and differences in help-seeking behaviour and in family perception of the mental illness.Conclusion.Our results are compatible with the hypothesis that unemployment is a contributing factor in the risk for psychosis among migrant groups. Further studies would be needed to better explain some of our results, particularly the role played by the families of migrant patients.

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Modulation of the Somatosensory Blink Reflex in the Peripersonal Space Is Defective in Episodic Migraine

Pain Medicine ◽

10.1093/pm/pnz328 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (8) ◽

pp. 1663-1667

Author(s):

Selahattin Ayas ◽

Meral E Kızıltan ◽

Feray Karaali-Savrun ◽

Ayşegül Gündüz

Keyword(s):

Healthy Subjects ◽

Area Under The Curve ◽

Peripersonal Space ◽

Blink Reflex ◽

Acute Attack ◽

Episodic Migraine ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Tertiary Referral Center ◽

Extrapersonal Space ◽

And Gender

Abstract Objective In migraine, there is an altered behavior of patients during the attack and an altered connectivity in the cortical structures modulating and encoding the sensation and pain. Thus, we hypothesized that the extent of the peripersonal space (PPS) and the responses in the PPS may change during a migraine attack. For this reason, we analyzed the modulation of somatosensory blink reflex (SBR) in the PPS during episodic migraine. Design Cross-sectional assessment of modulation of SBR in patients with migraine. Setting Headache outpatient clinic of a tertiary referral center. Subjects We included 22 patients with episodic migraine, of whom 13 individuals were in the interictal period and nine were experiencing a headache episode. We also included 14 healthy individuals. The three groups were similar in age and gender. Methods SBR was recorded when the participants were sitting with their forearm in the extrapersonal space and also when their hands were in the PPS surrounding the face. Latency, amplitude, and area under the curve (AUC) were measured and compared. Results The amplitude and AUC of the SBR were significantly higher in patients during the attack compared with healthy subjects. The magnitude of the SBR was increased in the PPS in healthy subjects, whereas the increase was not significant in patients during the attack or in the interictal period. Conclusions We think that the modulation in the PPS is defective in patients with migraine both during the acute attack and in the interictal phase, suggesting diminished top-down modulation of the SBR.

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Psychosis, migration and social environment: an age-and-gender controlled study

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2004.04.010 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 19 (6) ◽

pp. 338-343 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

P. Fossion ◽

L. Servais ◽

M.-C. Rejas ◽

Y. Ledoux ◽

I. Pelc ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Suicide Attempts ◽

Age Of Onset ◽

Care Process ◽

Lower Percentage ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Age And Gender ◽

And Gender ◽

Migrant Groups

AbstractPurposeAdverse social experiences are frequently invoked to explain the higher rate of psychosis among migrant groups. The aim of the present study was to establish the socio-environmental factors distinguishing migrant psychotic patients from autochthonous patients.Subjects and methodWe conducted a cross-sectional survey involving 341 migrant psychotic patients matched for age and gender with 341 autochthonous psychotic patients.ResultsMigrant patients lived more often with their parental family, were less often enrolled with a referral psychiatrist, presented a lower rate of employment, a lower percentage of alcohol misuse and of suicide attempts.DiscussionOur findings add to the growing body of results showing that more attention needs to be focused on socio-environmental variables in psychosis research. However, several limitations have to be taken into account, particularly with regard to selection biases and age of onset of the psychotic illness.ConclusionOur results are compatible with the hypothesis that unemployment is a contributing factor in the risk for psychosis among migrant groups. Migrants’ families are an important keystone in the mental health care process of their sick relatives. Our service models need to be adapted with the aim to make the treatment easier for migrant patients.

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