scholarly journals Failure of Preventive Treatments in Migraine: An Observational Retrospective Study in a Tertiary Headache Center

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianna Diletta Delussi ◽  
Eleonora Vecchio ◽  
Silvia Giovanna Quitadamo ◽  
Giuseppe Libro ◽  
Marina De Tommaso

Abstract BACKGROUND Despite the criteria of acute migraine treatment and prevention have been well described , there are still unmet needs, for a general underuse and low benefit of preventive treatments. The aim of the present study was to observe retrospectively the short term effect of preventive treatment in a cohort of migraine patients come at a tertiary headache center, using data from an electronic medical record. METHODS This was an observational retrospective cohort study on data collected in a tertiary headache center. Data were extracted from an electronic dataset collected between January 2009 to December 2019. Main selection criteria were age 18-75, diagnosis of migraine without aura(MO), with aura (MA) and chronic migraine (CM), a control visit after three months from the first access, prescription of preventive treatment with level of evidence 1 as reported by Italian guidelines. As primary outcome measure we considered the change of frequency of headache at follow up , as second outcomes disability scores , intensity of headache, allodynia; as predictive factors age, migraine duration, sex and headache frequency, allodynia, anxiety and depression at baseline; comorbidity with fibromyalgia. RESULTS Among 6430 patients screened,2800 met the selection, 1800 returned to follow up, 550 withdrawn for adverse events, 1100 were introduced into analysis. One hundred thirty four had a frequency reduction of 50% or more. Flunarizine was used in less severe migraine, with a better effect as compared to other drugs (odds ratio 1.48; p 0.022). Low headache frequency and absent or mild allodynia predicted a better outcome. CONCLUSIONSThe mild effect of preventive drugs on migraine features and the number of patients lost to follow up or dropped out for adverse events confirm that in severely and chronic sufferers the first line preventive approach could delay a more focused therapeutic approach.

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (22;5) ◽  
pp. E451-E456
Author(s):  
Kyung-Hoon Kim

Background: Lumbar intraspinal synovial cyst (LISC) refers to a cyst that arises from the zygapophyseal joint capsule of the lumbar spine and contains serous or gelatinous fluid. In cases of LISCs resistant to conservative treatments, various minimally invasive percutaneous spinal techniques (MIPSTs) may be applied prior to open surgery. Objectives: The outcomes of 3-staged MIPSTs for the treatment of symptomatic LISCs resistant to conservative treatments were evaluated. Study Design: An institutional review board approved retrospective chart review. Setting: University hospital inpatients referred to our pain clinic. Methods: Review of charts of all patients who underwent MIPSTs for symptomatic LISCs resistant to conservative treatments during a time period of 13 years at a university hospital pain clinic. Patients with symptomatic LISCs resistant to conservative treatments were treated with 3-staged MIPSTs, including image-guided intraarticular aspiration, cyst distention and rupture, and injection of corticosteroids (ARI), endoscopic cyst enucleation (ECE), and endoscopic superior facetectomy (ESF) by a single pain specialist. A symptom-free period after each intervention was evaluated. Recurrence was defined as the same recurrent symptomatic radicular pain with confirmation of the LISC on magnetic resonance imaging. All patients with a minimum follow-up time of 3 years were included. Results: Of the 40 patients who underwent ARI, 3 patients failed to complete a follow-up and 19 patients (51.4%) who had recurring symptoms received ECE. Ten patients (52.6%) who had rerecurring symptoms after ECE received ESF. There was no recurrence after ESF. Limitations: This retrospective and observational study with a limited number of patients does not represent a high level of evidence. Conclusions: This information provided the recurrence rate after each intervention. Half of the patients who went on to receive ARI experienced recurrence, whereas half of the patients with recurrence who received ECE experienced re-recurrence. ESF treatment resulted in no recurrence within the 3-year study period. Key words: Conservative treatment, endoscopic surgical procedures, facet joint, intraarticular injection, minimally invasive surgical procedures, needle biopsy, nerve root compression, radiculopathy, synovial cysts


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (12_suppl5) ◽  
pp. 2325967118S0020
Author(s):  
Damián Bustos ◽  
Lucas Marangoni ◽  
Pablo Bertiche ◽  
Javier Núñez ◽  
Iván Bitar ◽  
...  

Introduction: Faced with a bucket meniscal lesion we have two treatment options. A frequently practiced option is to remove the bucket handle, another is to repair it. Generally, they are associated with ligament injuries. In this context, it has been shown that meniscal repair has a good result, but the evolution of isolated meniscal repairs is not entirely clear. The purpose of this systematic review is to determine the results after the repair of bucket handle injuries. Materials and Methods: A bibliographic search of the computerized database was carried out pubmed. Eight articles were included according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The results of interest included, level of evidence, number of patients, follow-up, average age, surgical technique,% cure,% failure, complications, associated injuries and average time from injury to surgical repair. Results: The works studied, on average, 43 patients, with ages between 16 and 33 years making 341 patients. The follow-up period was focused on 58 months. The percentage of cure varies from 52% to 98%. Conclusion: The isolated repair of this type of meniscal lesions has a good overall evolution associated with a low rate of failure and complications Level of evidence: IV Type of study systematic review


Cephalalgia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (12) ◽  
pp. 1885-1895
Author(s):  
Peer Tfelt-Hansen ◽  
Janus Kaufmann Lindqvist ◽  
Thien Phu Do

Background In 2008, the International Headache Society published guidelines on the “evaluation and registration of adverse events in clinical drug trials on migraine”. They listed seven recommendations for reporting adverse events in randomized controlled trials on migraine. The present study aimed to evaluate adherence to these recommendations, and based on the results, to recommend improvements. Methods We searched the PubMed/MEDLINE database to identify controlled trials on migraine drugs published from 2010 to 2015. For each trial, we noted whether five of the recommended parameters were presented. In addition, we noted whether adverse events were reported in abstracts. Results We identified 73 trials; 51 studied acutely administered drugs and 22 studied prophylactic drugs for migraine. The number of patients with any adverse events were reported in 74% of acute-administration and 86% of prophylactic drug trials. Only 30 (41%) of the 73 studies reported adverse events with data in the abstracts, and 27 (37%) abstracts did not mention adverse events. Conclusion Adverse events, both frequency and symptoms, should be reported to allow a fair judgement of benefit/tolerability ratio when randomized controlled trials in migraine treatment are published. Clinically significant adverse events should be included in the abstract of every randomized controlled trial in migraine treatment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 372-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Scott ◽  
John Steele ◽  
Amanda Fletcher ◽  
Selene G. Parekh

Background. Patients with talar avascular necrosis (AVN) have limited treatment options to manage their symptoms. Historically, surgical options have been limited and can leave patients with little ankle motion and have high failure rates. The use of custom 3D printed total talar replacements (TTRs) has arisen as a treatment option for these patients, possibly allowing better preservation of hindfoot motion. We hypothesized that patients undergoing TTR will demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) at 1 year after surgery. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed 15 patients who underwent a TTR over a 2-year period. Patient outcomes were reviewed, including age, sex, comorbidities, etiology of talar pathology, number and type of prior surgeries, radiographic alignment, FAOS and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score, and range of motion. Data analysis was performed with Student t-tests and multivariate regression. Results. FAOSs and VAS scores showed statistically significant improvements postoperatively as compared with preoperative scores. There was a statistically significant decrease in VAS pain scores from 7.0 preoperatively to 3.6 (P < .001). Average follow-up was 12.8 months. With the number of patients available, there was no statistically significant change in radiographic alignment parameters postoperatively as compared with preoperatively (P values ranged from .225 to .617). Conclusion. Our hypothesis that these patients show statistically significant improvements in FAOSs at 1 year was confirmed. TTR represents an exciting treatment option for patients with talar AVN, though longer-term follow-up is needed. Level of Evidence: Level IV: Case series


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1219-1220
Author(s):  
S. Kawaai ◽  
S. Fukui ◽  
T. Nakai ◽  
G. Kidoguchi ◽  
H. Ozawa ◽  
...  

Background:IgG4-Related Disease (IgG4RD) is known to cause multiple organ lesions with infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells, and patients often have relapses with tapering treatments despite an initial good response to glucocorticoids therapy. Mizoribine (MZR) is an immunosuppressant working as an inhibitor of purine synthesis, which mechanism of action is similar to mycophenolate mofetil. Data regarding the efficacy and safety of MZR on IgG4RD is limited although some previous case reports1showed effectiveness for IgG4RD.Objectives:This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of MZR in patients with IgG4RD.Methods:We retrospectively reviewed charts of IgG4RD patients who used MZR between January 2004 and December 2019 at Immuno-Rheumatology Center in St. Luke’s International Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. We investigated basic demographics, involved organs, results of blood tests including IgG and IgG4 titer, and medications used including glucocorticoid and other immunosuppressants (IS). We followed IgG4 titer, dose of glucocorticoid, flare of disease and retention of MZR at the beginning, 6 and 12months after starting MZR. We compared changes in PSL (prednisolone) doses and IgG4 titers over time using Friedman test with Bonferroni correction. We also checked adverse events during follow up.Results:Twenty-two patients with IgG4RD who used MZR were included. Median age was 62 years old, and 15 (68.2%) patients are male. Lacrimal and salivary glands, pancreatitis and retroperitoneal fibrosis were common lesions. All patients were initially treated with glucocorticoids. Flare was observed in 5 (22.7 %) patients before initiation of MZR. The number of patients who continued MZR without flare are 19 (86.4 %) at 6 months, and 14 (73.7 %) at 12 months. IgG4 titer significantly declined at 6 and 12 months from baseline although significant consecutive decrease in PSL dose (Figure 1, 2). Liver dysfunctions are commonest adverse events (n=16, 72.7%) but mild (grade1; n=15, 68.2%) and most cases are apparently due to other reasons. Serious infection (SI) occurred in 3 (13.6%) patients in total follow up, however no SI were observed during 1 year after MZR treatment.Conclusion:MZR can be safely used in patients of IgG4RD with high retention rate, and seemed to have steroid-sparing effect. Prospective comparative studies are needed.References:[1]Nanke Y, Kobashigawa T, Yago T, Kamatani N, Kotake S. A case of Mikulicz’s disease, IgG4-related plasmacytic syndrome, successfully treated by corticosteroid and mizoribine, and then by mizoribine alone. Intern Med 49: 1449-1453, 2010.Table 1.Patient characteristics    Table 2.Disease and treatment status before and after initiation of MZR    Figure 1.Serum IgG4 level changesFigure 2.Changes in the PSL dose over timeDisclosure of Interests:None declared


Cephalalgia ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 983-991 ◽  
Author(s):  
H van Ettekoven ◽  
C Lucas

We conducted a multicentre, randomized controlled trial with blinded outcome assessment. The treatment period was 6 weeks with follow-up assessment immediately thereafter and after 6 months. The objective was to determine the effectiveness of a craniocervical training programme combined with physiotherapy for tension-type headache. Eighty-one participants meeting the diagnostic criteria for tension-type headache were randomly assigned to an exercise group (physiotherapy and an additional craniocervical training programme) and a control group (physiotherapy alone). The primary outcome measure was headache frequency. Secondary outcomes included headache intensity and duration, Quality of Life (SF-36) and the Multidimensional Headache Locus of Control scale (MHLC). At 6 months' follow-up, the craniocervical training group showed significantly reduced headache frequency, intensity and duration ( P < 0.001 for all). Effect sizes were large and clinically relevant. Loss to follow-up amounted to 3.7±. Physiotherapy including craniocervical training reduces symptoms of tension-type headache significantly over a prolonged time frame.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 168-172
Author(s):  
Alberto Auellar-Avaroma ◽  
Ana Cristina King-Martinez

Objective: The aim of this study was to present a case series of patients undergoing posterior tibial tendoscopy, assess their clinical outcome, and describe surgical findings and treatment complications. Methods: This is a clinical, retrospective, observational study of 11 consecutive cases of tenosynovitis of the posterior tibial tendon. All 11 patients underwent tendoscopy of the posterior tibial tendon. All procedures were performed by the same surgeon in 2 different hospitals. Minimum follow-up was 2 years. Results: All patients had their preoperative and postoperative AOFAS and VAS scores assessed. Both scores had an important improvement at 12 months that persisted at 24 months. Moreover, 72.72% of the patients were very satisfied with the procedure, and no patient reported to be dissatisfied. Additionally, 90.91% of the patients had no postoperative complications. The present results are consistent with those previously reported in the literature. Conclusion: Endoscopic or tendoscopic repair of the posterior tibial tendon is a simple and reproducible procedure that provides good functional and cosmetic outcomes with a low complication rate. It is important to increase the number of patients in this series in order to expand our conclusions. Level of Evidence IV; Therapeutic Studies; Case Series.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 247301141881442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brendan R. Emmons ◽  
Dominic S. Carreira

Background: Interposition arthroplasty of the first MTP joint has recently experienced renewed interest as a treatment for hallux rigidus. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the rapidly expanding literature on PRO following interposition arthroplasty of the first MTP joint. Methods: PubMed Central, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register for Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were searched. Inclusion criteria included length of time to follow-up, number of patients, outcome measure, and use of allogeneic or autogenous soft tissue or a synthetic matrix as interposition. Results: 20 studies were included in the review, comprising 498 patients and 539 feet with mean time to follow-up of 4.5 years. The most common substance used for interposition in the included studies was autogenous first MTPJ capsular tissue, a technique reported on in 12 (60.0%) of the included articles. In studies reporting preoperative and postoperative outcomes by way of a standardized outcome scoring system, mean group improvements exceed minimal clinically important differences in the majority of studies. Eighty-five percent of the studies included in this review were of Level IV quality evidence, and of this subset of studies, 70.6% were of a retrospective nature. Progression to further surgery was observed in 3.8% of toes. The most common complication reported was transfer metatarsalgia of 1 or more lesser toes, observed in up to 57.9% of patients in one study. Conclusion: Interposition arthroplasty appears to be a viable option for the treatment of moderate to severe hallux rigidus in patients looking to salvage motion through the first metatarsophalangeal joint. A wide array of autogenous, allogeneic, and synthetic implant materials have surfaced in recent years, but long-term follow-up and prospective, comparative study designs with low risk of bias are limited. Level of Evidence: Level IV, systematic review of Level III-IV studies


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-69
Author(s):  
Tristan Rainville ◽  
Mikhael Laskine ◽  
Madeleine Durand

BackgroundFollowing their evaluation in randomised controlled trials (RCTs), direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have replaced warfarin for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF), and treatment and prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE). To avoid selection bias, it is recommended that RCTs use an intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis strategy.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to systematically review and compare reported analytical strategies, the proportion of randomised patients included in analyses and the reasons for participant exclusions.Study selectionA systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane library for phase III trials of DOACs was conducted. Titles and abstracts were screened for relevance by two independent reviewers. Patient population, intervention studied, number of patients included in randomisation and analysis, reasons for exclusions from analysis and trial conclusions were extracted from each article.FindingsTwenty-nine studies were included, five were about stroke prevention in AF, 10 about VTE treatment and 14 about thromboprophylaxis. Trials of AF and VTE treatment had low proportions of postrandomisation exclusions (around 1%). In contrast, surgical and medical thromboprophylaxis trials excluded almost 30% of participants postrandomisation. This was in spite of authors’ claims of using an ITT or modified ITT approach. Higher exclusion proportions in these trials were associated with non-clinically defined primary outcomes and incomplete outcome assessments.ConclusionsClinicians should be aware that the level of evidence in favour of DOAC use for thromboprophylaxis is weak due to high rates of postrandomisation exclusions and risks of selection bias.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e22001-e22001
Author(s):  
Tsering G. Lama Tamang ◽  
John P. Fruehauf ◽  
Samuel Ejadi

e22001 Background: Optimal duration of anti-PD-1 antibody therapy remains undefined. Currently, treatment is given up to two years in metastatic melanoma based on clinical trials. However, recent observations suggest that anti-PD-1 antibodies may work as well if given for shorter time periods. To better understand duration of anti-PD-1 antibody treatment, we reviewed outcomes for patients who discontinued immunotherapy earlier than 2 years in our Cancer Center. Methods: This is a retrospective, single-institution review of metastatic melanoma patients who received anti-PD-1 antibodies from January 2010 to December 2019. We further identified the patients discontinuing treatment before completion of 2 years for reasons other than disease progression. Duration was categorized into three groups: < 6 months (A), 6-12 months (B) and > 12 months (C) and outcomes were analyzed. Progression free survival (PFS) was defined as the time from the initiation of anti-PD1-therapy to the date of progression as determined by treating physician based on radiological, biochemical and/or clinical criteria. Results: 25 patients with mean age 69 years (49-91; N = 19 > 60yo) were identified. Number of patients who received anti-PD-1 antibodies were N = 8, N = 9 and N = 8 in in groups A, B and C respectively. 44% of patients discontinued treatment after achieving either partial or near complete remission, whereas the remaining 66% of patients discontinued treatment due to adverse events. Majority of patients who stopped treatment due to adverse events were older than 60 (71.4%). In 29 months of median follow up (range 11-54), none of patients who received treatment in group B progressed, whereas in groups A and C, 25% percentage progressed in each group with 80% PFS at 12.8 months and 88% PFS at 26 months respectively. 12.5% of patients in group A had progression at 12 months follow up, where no progression was noticed in groups B and C during the same time period. Conclusions: Retrospective analysis of our experience supports other retrospective findings that treatment with anti-PD-1 antibodies more than 12 months might not add further benefit in responding or non-progressing older patients though further study with longer follow up is required.


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