Combination of low-dose mirtazapine and ibuprofen for prophylaxis of chronic tension-type headache

Chronic headaches are difficult to treat and represent the biggest challenge in headache centres. Mirtazapine has a prophylactic and ibuprofen an acute effect in tension-type headache. Combination therapy may increase efficacy and lower side effects. We aimed to evaluate the prophylactic effect of a combination of low-dose mirtazapine and ibuprofen in chronic tension-type headache. Ninety-three patients were included in the double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel trial. Following a 4-week run-in period they were randomized to four groups for treatment with a combination of mirtazapine 4.5 mg and ibuprofen 400 mg, placebo, mirtazapine 4.5 mg or ibuprofen 400 mg daily for 8 weeks. Eighty-four patients completed the study. The primary efficacy parameter, change in area under the headache curve from run-in to the last 4 weeks of treatment, did not differ between combination therapy (190) and placebo (219), P  = 0.85. Explanatory analyses revealed worsening of headache already in the third week of treatment with ibuprofen alone. In conclusion, the combination of low-dose mirtazapine and ibuprofen is not effective for the treatment of chronic tension-type headache. Moreover, the study suggests that daily intake of ibuprofen worsens headache already after few weeks in chronic tension-type headache.     

Diabetes mellitus, hypertension and medial temporal lobe atrophy: the LADIS study.

HYPOTHESIS: Based on recent findings on the association between vascular risk factors and hippocampal atrophy, we hypothesized that hypertension and diabetes mellitus (DM) are associated with medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTA) in subjects without disability, independent of the severity of white matter hyperintensities. METHODS: In the Leukoaraiosis And DISability in the elderly (LADIS) study, we investigated the relationships between DM, hypertension, blood pressure and MTA in 582 subjects, stratified by white matter hyperintensity severity, using multinomial logistic regression. MTA was visually scored for the left and right medial temporal lobe (score 0-4), and meaned. RESULTS: Mean age was 73.5 years (sd 5.1), 54% was female. Of the subjects, 15% had DM, and 70% had a history of hypertension. The likelihood of having MTA score 3 was significantly higher in subjects with DM (OR 2.9; 95% CI: 1.1-7.8) compared with an MTA score of 0 (no atrophy). The odds ratio for MTA score 2 was not significantly increased (OR 1.8; CI: 0.9-4). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and a history of hypertension were not associated with MTA. There was no interaction between DM and hypertension. Stratification on white matter hyperintensities (WMH) did not alter the associations. CONCLUSION: Our study strengthens the observation that MTA is associated with DM, independently of the amount of small vessel disease as reflected by WMH.     

Influence of body mass index on measured and calculated androgen parameters in adult women with Hirsutism and PCOS.

There is growing evidence that obesity in women lead to a more severe form of hyperandrogenism and other endocrine abnormalities which may have some health implications later in life. Obese females are at higher risk for metabolic syndrome due to severe hyperandrogenemia. Calculated values for free testosterone are equivalent to those obtained by equilibrium dialysis, which is one of the reference measurement procedures (RMP) for estimation of free testosterone and may be capable of replacing values estimated using RMP's. For adult women correlations of body mass index (BMI) with calculated free (cFT) and bioavailable testosterone (cBT) are still rare, while these data are reported for peripubertal and adolescent girls. In this study we aimed to investigate the association between BMI and different androgen parameters (including calculated free and bioavailable testosterone, free androgen index, and sex hormone-binding globulin [SHBG]) in adult women with Hirsutism and with PCOS. In hirsute women with BMI > or = 25 kg/m2 measured total testosterone (TT) was significantly higher, SHBG was significantly lower and the calculated androgen parameter (FAI, cFT and cBT) were significantly higher compared to women with BMI < 25 kg/m2. In PCOS women with BMI > or = 25 kg/m2 TT was significantly higher, SHBG was significantly lower and the calculated androgen parameter (FAI, cFT and cBT) were also significantly higher compared to women with BMI < 25 kg/m2. In both the Hirsutism and PCOS-group there was a positive correlation between BMI and TT, cFT, and cBT, while BMI was negatively correlated with SHBG. In summary, in adult women with Hirsutism and PCOS obesity is associated with increased levels of TT and decreased levels of SHBG resulting in significant elevated calculated free and bioavailable testosterone levels. Obesity might lead to a more severe form of hyperandrogenism with elevated calculated free and bioavailable testosterone in the study population.     

The health-related quality of life of male and female heavy smokers

Objectives: Heavy smokers are a segment of the smoking population who are at increased risk of smoking-related morbidity and least likely to achieve cessation. This study identifies the impact of heavy smoking on quality of life by gender and describes the subpopulation for improved targeting.Methods: South Australian representative population data (n = 3010) was used to compare the health-related quality of life status of male and female heavy smokers as assessed by the SF-36.     

Age-dependent Responses to Thermal Hyperalgesia and Mechanical Allodynia in a Rat Model of Acute Postoperative Pain

Background: Developmental differences in short- and long-term responses to pain, especially surgical pain, have received minimal attention. The purpose of the present study was to examine postoperative responses in rats of developmental ages paralleling the infant to young adult human.

Methods: The withdrawal threshold to von Frey filament testing and withdrawal latency to hind-paw radiant heating were determined before and for various times after hind-paw incision in rats 2, 4, and 16 weeks of age. Control rats of these ages were observed serially without surgery.

Results: In control animals, younger rats were more sensitive to mechanical stimulation and less sensitive to thermal stimulation. Paw incision resulted in similar changes to both types of stimulation in all age groups, peaking 4 h after surgery. However, the return to normal sensitivity to mechanical stimulation, as measured by return of threshold to 80% of normal, occurred more quickly in 2-week-old than in 4- and 16-week-old animals. In contrast, there was no age difference for time to return to normal sensitivity to thermal stimulation after surgery.