Is There An Association between Migraine and Allergic Rhinitis?

WOS: 000471623900004PubMed: 28636737We conducted a prospective study to evaluate nasal signs and symptoms and to perform allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) testing to investigate the relationship between migraine and allergic rhinitis. Our study group consisted of 40 patients diagnosed with migraine22 men and 18 women, aged 21 to 38 years (mean: 25.7). We compared their findings with a control group of 40 healthy adults15 men and 25 women, aged 19 to 36 years (mean: 25.1). Allergen-specific IgE measurements were obtained with six groups of allergens: fungi, grass pollens, tree pollens, wild herbs, house dust mite 1, and house dust mite 2. We found no significant difference between the migraine patients and the controls in the incidence of nasal signs and symptoms (i.e., discharge, congestion, itching, and sneezing) or inferior turbinate signs (i.e., color and edema). According to the IgE assays, 14 migraine patients (35.0%) were sensitized to one or more allergens, compared with 11 of the controls (27.5%); the difference was not statistically significant. Sensitization was highest for the grass pollens panel in both groups. Even though we did not find an association between migraine and allergic rhinitis, the recent literature supports a correlation between migraine and atopy. The two conditions share common neural pathways and common mediators, and they can be linked statistically in patients and their families. A pathophysiologic association between the two conditions seems more likely than an etiologic association. In this regard, future efforts could be focused on the determination of atopy in migraine patients and the therapeutic implications of this diagnosis

Effect of grapefruit juice on bioavailability of montelukast

WOS: 000316812400003PubMed ID: 22951980Objectives/Hypothesis: The aim of this study was to investigate possible interactions between grapefruit juice and montelukast for up to 4 hours. Study Design: A prospective, crossover study with 23 healthy volunteers was performed in two sessions. Methods: In the first session, volunteers were treated with oral montelukast 10 mg once daily with 250 ml water. After a 10-day washout period, the same volunteers were treated with 10 mg montelukast with 250 ml grapefruit juice. Blood samples were collected 2, 3, and 4 hours after drug administration and kept at 80 degrees C after both applications. Plasma samples were analyzed for montelukast concentration. Results: The mean plasma concentration of montelukast across all time intervals was significantly greater (P = 0.0001) for those given grapefruit juice (517, 484, and 440) versus those treated with water (366, 356, and 292). Moreover, with respect to the time the sample was collected, there was no significant difference (P = 0.13) in the mean total plasma concentration up to 4 hours after montelukast ingestion for either group. There was a significant difference between the groups according to the area under curve with regard to marginal and cumulative values for all different time intervals (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Plasma concentration of montelukast was higher when administered with grapefruit juice, as compared to with water. This may have been due to the effect of grapefruit on liver metabolism of montelukast and the cytochrome P450 system

Does Desloratadine Alter the Serum Levels of Montelukast When Administered in a Fixed-Dose Combination?

WOS: 000326231200017PubMed ID: 23918211Objectives/HypothesisThe aim of this study was to investigate the serum levels of montelukast when administered alone or in combination with desloratadine. Study DesignA prospective crossover study. MethodsTwenty-three healthy volunteers were investigated in two sessions. Volunteers were given 10 mg of montelukast orally with 250 mL water in the first session. The same subjects were given 10 mg of montelukast in fixed combination with 5 mg desloratadine 10 days after first session. Blood samples were collected 2, 3, and 4 hours after drug administration, and kept at -80 degrees C after both applications. Plasma samples were analyzed for montelukast concentration. ResultsMean concentration values of both groups were not statistically different (P>.05), but the differences were statistically significant according to time (P.05). ConclusionsThe absorption rate of montelukast was not altered when administered with desloratadine. This study suggested that desloratadine does not influence the bioavailability of montelukast, and their combination therapy can be used safely

The Score For Allergic Rhinitis study in Turkey

WOS: 000295541500016PubMed ID: 22186248Background: The clinical definition of allergic rhinitis (AR) is difficult to use in epidemiological settings of large populations where it is impossible to obtain the laboratory evidence of each immune response. However, the standardization of the definition of AR in epidemiological studies is of crucial importance. This study was designed to estimate the prevalence of AR in an adult general population with respect to seven distinct geographical regions in Turkey. Methods: Individuals were evaluated with the Score for Allergic Rhinitis (SFAR) questionnaire for a national cross-sectional study. The Turkish version of the SFAR questionnaire was tested for clarity and sensitivity in a small sample of the general population. Results: Among the 3967 interviewed subjects, the overall prevalence of AR was 29.6%, with regional variations (from 21.0% in the southeastern Anatolia region to 36.1% in the Marmara region). The prevalence was higher in women and in urban area of residence. Conclusion: This national survey confirmed the elevated prevalence of AR in Turkey. Our findings may contribute to the formulation of the public health policy and development of preventive and therapeutic strategies for AR in eastern Europe. (Am J Rhinol Allergy 25, 333-337, 2011; doi: 10.2500/ajra.2011.25.3665