Impaired postural control in patients affected by tension-type headache

Sixteen subjects, affected by chronic tension-type headache (TTH) accordingly to the International Headache Society Classification (1988) criteria, in presence of tenderness in pericranial muscles,with a mean age of 37+/-11.8 years, and ten healthy volunteer subjects, age and sex matched, were submitted to postural analysis by Static Posturography (S.Ve.P. Amplaid). Aim of the study was to evaluate whether patients with TTH have disturbed postural control, as compared to normal subjects. Postural analysis considered all posturographic variables but focused on spectral frequency analysis of body sway. In both open (OE) and closed eyes (CE) condition, spectral frequency analysis showed a significantly increased body sway at low (OE= p < or = 0.01; CE= p < or = 0.01) and middle (OE= p < or = 0.01; CE= p < or = 0.01) frequencies on the antero-posterior (y) plane and at low frequencies (OE= p < or = 0.05; CE= p < or = 0.05) on the lateral (x) plane. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student's t test for unpaired data, p value 0.05 defined significant. The proprioceptive input seems to be predominant at middle and high frequencies in maintaining posture, our results seem then to suggest a proprioceptive disturbance in TTH patients. The disturbance is likely related to chronic pericranial muscle contraction and tenderness. Posturography and spectral analysis may help not only in the diagnosis of a postural disturbance but even more in the follow-up of TTH patients, during and after a medical and/or a rehabilitative treatment.     

The burden attributable to headache disorders in children and adolescents in Lithuania: estimates from a national schools-based study

BackgroundWe recently showed headache to be common in children (aged 7–11 years) and adolescents (aged 12–17) in Lithuania. Here we provide evidence from the same study of the headache-attributable burden.MethodsFollowing the generic protocol for Lifting The Burden’s global schools-based study, this cross-sectional survey administered self-completed structured questionnaires to pupils within classes in 24 nationally representative schools selected from seven regions of the country. Headache diagnostic questions were based on ICHD-3 beta criteria but for the inclusion of undifferentiated headache (UdH; defined as mild headache with usual duration < 1 h). Burden enquiry was conducted in multiple domains.ResultsQuestionnaires were completed by 2505 pupils (1382 children, 1123 adolescents; participating proportion 67.4%), of whom 1858 reported headache in the preceding year, with mean frequency (±SD) of 3.7 ± 4.5 days/4 weeks and mean duration of 1.6 ± 1.9 h. Mean proportion of time in ictal state, estimated from these, was 0.9% (migraine 1.5%, probable medication-overuse headache [pMOH] 10.9%). Mean intensity on a scale of 1–3 was 1.6 ± 0.6 (mild-to-moderate). Symptomatic medication was consumed on 1.5 ± 2.8 days/4 weeks. Lost school time was 0.5 ± 1.5 days/4 weeks (migraine 0.7 ± 1.5, pMOH 5.0 ± 7.8) based on recall, but about 50% higher for migraine according to actual absences recorded in association with reported headache on the preceding day. More days were reported with limited activity (overall 1.2 ± 2.4, migraine 1.5 ± 2.2, pMOH 8.4 ± 8.5) than lost from school. One in 30 parents (3.3%) missed work at least once in 4 weeks because of their son’s or daughter’s headache. Emotional impact and quality-of-life scores generally reflected other measures of burden, with pMOH causing greatest detriments, followed by migraine and tension-type headache, and UdH least. Burdens were greater in adolescents than children as UdH differentiated into adult headache types.ConclusionsHeadache in children and adolescents in Lithuania is mostly associated with modest symptom burden. However, the consequential burdens, in particular lost school days, are far from negligible for migraine (which is prevalent) and very heavy for pMOH (which, while uncommon in children, becomes four-fold more prevalent in adolescents). These findings are of importance to both health and educational policies in Lithuania.     

Relations between epileptic seizures and headaches

PurposeTo describe headaches in patients with epilepsy and try to identify relations between epileptic seizures and headaches.MethodsCross-sectional study, with 304 patients from the epilepsy out-patient section of University Hospital of Federal University of Alagoas (Brazil) between February 2007 and February 2008. The presence of headaches and their relationships with the epileptic seizures were analyzed.ResultsFrequent seizures were associated with a greater tendency of occurrence of headaches (odds ratio = 1.6 times, p = 0.077). Headaches occurred in 66.1% of the cases. The highest occurrence was of migraine (32.9% of the patients), followed by tension-type headaches (9.2%). Two syndromes with a continuum epilepsy–migraine in the same seizure are worth mentioning: migralepsy in 6.6% and epilepgraine in 10.2% of the patients with epilepsy.ConclusionsA high prevalence of headaches in patients with epilepsy was observed, with emphasis on hybrid crises of epilepsy and migraine.     

针刺加耳穴贴压治疗紧张性头痛的临床研究

目的:观察针刺加耳穴贴压治疗紧张性头痛(TTH)的临床疗效.方法:将90例TTH患者采用随机数字表法分为针刺组、耳穴贴压组和观察组,每组30例.观察组接受针刺及耳穴贴压治疗,针刺组仅接受针刺治疗,耳穴贴压组仅接受耳穴贴压治疗.观察治疗前、治疗后及治疗后3个月随访时的头痛发作频率,以及头痛程度视觉模拟量表(VAS)、焦虑...     

紧张性头痛患者甲状腺功能改变及其临床意义

目的 探讨紧张性头痛患者甲状腺功能改变及其临床意义。方法 选择2016年1月-2019年6月本院收治的120例紧张性头痛患者作为观察组,选择同时期来本院进行体检的120名健康人作为对照组,比较2组研究对象的一般资料、匹兹堡睡眠指数PSQI评分、汉密尔顿17项抑郁评分、蒙特利尔认知功能MoCA-C评分、疼痛视觉量表VAS评分,检测2组患者血清中促甲状腺激素TSH、总甲状腺素TT4、总三碘甲状腺原氨酸TT3、游离甲状腺素FT4、游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸FT3、甲状腺球蛋白抗体TGAb、甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体TPOAb水平。结果 2组患者的年龄、性别及受教育年限均无明显差异(P>0.05),观察组PSQI评分、HAMD-17评分、TSH、TPOAb、TGAb水平均明显高于对照组(P<0.05),MoCA评分、TT3、TT4、FT3、FT4水平均明显低于对照组(P<0.05),VAS评分与PSQI评分、HAMD-17评分、TSH、TPOAb、TGAb水平呈正相关,与认知功能MoCA评分、TT3、TT4、FT3、FT4水平呈负相关。结论 甲状腺功能低下及自身免疫性损伤与紧张性头痛的发生密切相关,甲状腺激素及相关抗体的检测有助于紧张性头痛的诊断及预后判定     

The global prevalence of headache: an update,with analysis of the influences of methodological factors on prevalence estimates

BackgroundAccording to the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study, headache disorders are among the most prevalent and disabling conditions worldwide. GBD builds on epidemiological studies (published and unpublished) which are notable for wide variations in both their methodologies and their prevalence estimates.Our first aim was to update the documentation of headache epidemiological studies, summarizing global prevalence estimates for all headache, migraine, tension-type headache (TTH) and headache on ≥15 days/month (H15+), comparing these with GBD estimates and exploring time trends and geographical variations. Our second aim was to analyse how methodological factors influenced prevalence estimates.MethodsIn a narrative review, all prevalence studies published until 2020, excluding those of clinic populations, were identified through a literature search. Prevalence data were extracted, along with those related to methodology, world region and publication year. Bivariate analyses (correlations or comparisons of means) and multiple linear regression (MLR) analyses were performed.ResultsFrom 357 publications, the vast majority from high-income countries, the estimated global prevalence of active headache disorder was 52.0% (95%CI 48.9–55.4), of migraine 14.0% (12.9–15.2), of TTH 26.0% (22.7–29.5) and of H15+ 4.6% (3.9–5.5). These estimates were comparable with those of migraine and TTH in GBD2019, the most recent iteration, but higher for headache overall. Each day, 15.8% of the world’s population had headache. MLR analyses explained less than 30% of the variation. Methodological factors contributing to variation, were publication year, sample size, inclusion of probable diagnoses, sub-population sampling (e.g., of health-care personnel), sampling method (random or not), screening question (neutral, or qualified in severity or presumed cause) and scope of enquiry (headache disorders only or multiple other conditions). With these taken into account, migraine prevalence estimates increased over the years, while estimates for all headache types varied between world regions.ConclusionThe review confirms GBD in finding that headache disorders remain highly prevalent worldwide, and it identifies methodological factors explaining some of the large variation between study findings. These variations render uncertain both the increase in migraine prevalence estimates over time, and the geographical differences. More and better studies are needed in low- and middle-income countries.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s10194-022-01402-2.     

A型肉毒毒素治疗慢性每日头痛的疗效与安全性

目的 观察A型肉毒毒素治疗慢性每日头痛的疗效与安全性.方法 治疗组给予A型肉毒毒素50 U,对照组给矛利多卡因加泼尼松龙5 ml.2组均用固定位点注射,分别于0、30、60、90 d观察头痛发作时间、头痛程度、生活质量及不良反应.结果 (1)治疗后30、60、90 d时,每月头痛发作天数在肉毒毒素治疗组为(14.0 ±7.8)d、(13.0±6.8)d和(13.0±6.4)d,对照组为(19.0±6.1)d、(21.0±6.1)d和(21.0±5.8)d,组间差异有统计学意义(Z=2.895、4.544、4.878,P＜0.01).(2)治疗后30 d肉毒毒素治疗组VAS评分为(3.6±1.5)分,对照组为(3.8±1.3)分,差异无统计学意义(Z=1.254,P=0.210);而60、90 d时肉毒毒素治疗组为(3.2±1.5)分和(3.1±1.6)分,对照组为(4.7±1.3)分和(5.0±1.5)分,差异有统计学意义(Z=4.950、5.096,均P=0.000).(3)2组生活质量均稍有改善.(4)肉毒毒素治疗组治疗慢性偏头痛效果好,未服预防性药物者效果较好.(5)各组不良反应均较轻.结论 A型肉毒毒素治疗慢性每日头痛有效、安全.     

抗抑郁药物治疗慢性肌紧张性头痛的临床观察

目的 观察抗抑郁药物对慢性肌紧张性头痛治疗的效果.方法 随机分为实验组和对照组.实验组给予新型的抗抑郁药物治疗,对照组给予常规药物治疗,在治疗前及治疗后2、4、6周,用症状自评量表(SCL-90)、副反应量表(TESS)评定疗效及药物不良反应.结果 实验组总有效率79%,对照组总有效率38%,两组具有显著性差异(P＜0.001).结论 新型的抗抑郁药物对慢性肌紧张性头痛具有一定的治疗效果,安全、副反应少.