The Vitamin D Role in Preventing Primary Headache in Adult and Pediatric Population

Headache is among the main neurological disorders with a great impact on both adults and children. The diagnosis of primary headache and proper management is often delayed with a great impact on work productivity and overall quality of life. Chronic headache often requires prophylactic therapy to reduce the frequency and severity of the attacks and the use of abortive medications. Besides the use of several classes of drugs, another treatment modality is the use of Nutraceuticals. Some studies have suggested a possible role of vitamin D in headache prophylaxis. Indeed, vitamin D is involved in several pathways of brain development, neuroprotection and neurotransmission. Moreover, there is data suggesting a close relationship between primary headache and vitamin D deficiency, both in children and in adults. To date, a few studies have evaluated the effect of vitamin D on headaches. The aim of this review is to summarize the data collected on headache prophylaxis with vitamin D comparing the effects of vitamin D in pediatric and adult populations.

One-Year Remission Rate of Chronic Headache Comparing Video and Face-to-Face Consultations by Neurologist: Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Chronic headache causing severe headache-related disability for those affected by the disease is under- or misdiagnosed in many cases and therefore requires easy access to a specialist for optimal health care management. Objective The goal of the research is to determine whether video consultations are noninferior to face-to-face consultations in treating chronic headache patients referred to a specialist in Northern Norway. Methods Patients included in the study were recruited from general practice referrals to a specialist at a neurological department in Northern Norway (Tromsø) and diagnosed according to the International Headache Society classification system. In a randomized controlled design, the 1-year remission rate of chronic headache (change from ≥15 to <15 headache days per month during the last 3 months), patient satisfaction with a specialist consultation, and need for follow-up consultations by general practitioners were compared between groups consulted by video and face-to-face in a post hoc analysis. Data were collected by interview (baseline) and questionnaire (follow-up). Results From a baseline cohort of 402 headache patients consecutively referred from general practice to a specialist over 2.5 years, 58.0% (233/402) were classified as chronic headache and included in this study. Response rates were 71.7% (86/120) in the video group and 67.3% (76/113) in the face-to-face group. One-year remission from chronic headache was achieved in 43.0% (37/86) in the video group and 39.5% (30/76) in the face-to-face group (P=.38). Patient satisfaction with consultations were 86.5% (32/37; video) and 93.3% (28/30; face-to-face; P=.25). A total of 30% (11/37) in the video group and 53% (16/30) in the face-to-face group consulted general practitioners during the follow-up period (P=.03), and median number of consultations was 1 (IQR 0-13) and 1.5 (IQR 0-15), respectively (P=.19). Conclusions One-year remission rate from chronic headache was about 40% regardless of consultation form. Likewise, patient satisfaction with consultation and need for follow-up visits in general practice post consultation was similar. Treating chronic headache patients by using video consultations is not inferior to face-to-face consultations and may be used in clinical neurological practice. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02270177; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02270177

A Case Report on a Patient Treated with Combined Korean Medicine for Chronic Headache with Digestive Symptoms

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of combined Korean medical treatment on chronic headache with digestive symptoms.Methods: We collected data from October to December 2020 and evaluated the efficacy of combined Korean medical treatment using the Korean Headache Impact Test-g (KHIT-6), European Quality of Life Five Dimensions (EQ5D) Scale, and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) at admission, after two weeks of hospitalization, and on discharge.Results: At the end of treatment, the patient had increased EQ5D and reduced KHIT-6 and NRS scores.Conclusions: After the combined Korean medical treatment, the patient showed improvement, suggesting the efficacy of treatment.

Long-term Complications of Unintentional Dural Puncture During Labor Epidural Analgesia: A Case-Control Study.

Introduction: Epidural analgesia is the preferred method to manage pain during labor and delivery. The insertion of the epidural catheter can be complicated by unintentional dural puncture that may result in postdural puncture headache. There is limited evidence on the long term implications of this complication. We sought to investigate if women who sustained a dural puncture have a higher risk of developing chronic headache, low back pain and visual or auditory impairment. Methods: We conducted a 1:1 case-control study with women who delivered at our institution from January 2015 to December 2019. Cases were women who received epidural analgesia and sustained an unintentional dural puncture and controls were women who received epidural analgesia but did not sustain such complication. We matched cases and controls for date of delivery, age, and BMI. All women completed an online survey with validated questionnaires for diagnosis of chronic headache and chronic back pain. We used dichotomic (yes/no) questions to look for the presence of chronic visual and auditory impairment. Results: Sixty-three case-control pairs were studied. Women who sustained a dural puncture during their epidural catheter insertion had a higher risk of developing chronic headache [14.3%, versus 4.8%, p=0.049, AOR: 3.36 (1.05, 12.82)] and chronic back pain [39.7% versus 19.1%, p=0.009, AOR: 2.67 (1.25, 5.72)] than women who did not sustain a dural puncture. The incidence of chronic auditory impairment was also higher in the dural puncture group [14.3% versus 1.6%, p=0.007, AOR: 9.98 (1.21, 82.62)]. Conclusions: An unintentional dural puncture during epidural catheter insertion in parturients is associated with increased risk of chronic headache, back pain and auditory impairment.

Pulsed Radiofrequency of the Occipital Nerves: Results of a Standardized Protocol on Chronic Headache Management

Background: Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) of the occipital nerves has neuromodulative properties and is used for chronic pain management. However, its role in various types of chronic headaches has not been adequately investigated so far. Objectives: Τhis was an observational, open-label, prospective study aiming to assess the efficacy of PRF of occipital nerves on various types of chronic headache management. Methods: Patients with chronic headaches followed up at the pain management unit were scheduled for PRF of both occipital nerves after a positive diagnostic nerve block. PRF was applied following a standardized protocol at 42°C, and the number of headaches per month was assessed as a primary outcome at baseline (before treatment), as well as after 1, 3, and 6 months. Pain intensity during headache crises was recorded using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS, 0 - 10), Results: Fifty-seven patients suffering from chronic migraines, cluster headaches, tension-type headaches, and occipital neuralgia were studied. PRF significantly improved the number of headache episodes per month, as well as the pain intensity of the crises. The median number of headache episodes per month was significantly reduced in patients with migraine, from 14.5 to 4 after 1 month, and to 6.5 after 6 months. The same was seen for patients with clusters, who were also improved. A statistically significant reduction in NRS values over time was seen for all types of headaches. Conclusions: PRF of the occipital nerves can lead to a reduction of the number of headache episodes per month, improving the intensity of pain during each episode.