Impact of trigger factors on clinical profile of migraine patients

Background: Migraine is a primary headache disorder. The study was designed to provide a better understanding of the potential role of triggers in the cause of migraine and their impact on its clinical profile and treatment protocol.Methods: A prospective study was conducted between June 2018 to May 2020 in 323 patients suffering from migraine in out-patient department of neurology. Patients were labelled as migraine on the basis of simplified diagnostic criteria for migraine. A structured questionnaire was used to interview patients about triggers and correlated with various clinical variables.Results: All patients had migraine without aura with males 30 (9.3%) and females 293 (90.7%). Episodic migraine found more than chronic daily headache. Trigger factors were present in 234 (72.4%) and absent in 89 (27.6%) patients. Common triggers were hot climate, emotional stress, lack of sleep and fasting. Common foods to precipitate an attack are tomatoes, cheese and collard greens. Mean duration of headache in patients with trigger factors is 5.67±4.99 years with a significant p value (p<0.02). Mean frequency of headache in trigger positive patients is 15.22±8.28 (days/month). Clinical symptoms significant in trigger positive patients are nausea (p<0.0001) (OR=3.94;95% CI=2.02-7.68),vomiting (p=0.0001) (OR=2.62;95% CI=1.50-4.59), photophobia (p<0.0001) (OR=2.69;95% CI=1.56-4.64), phonophobia (p<0.0001) (OR=5.16; 95% CI=2.54-47), pulsating headache (p=0.006) (OR=2.09; 95% CI=1.22-3.56), unilateral location (p<0.0001) (OR=2.88; 95% CI=1.74-4.77).Conclusions: Triggers are not easily modifiable, and avoiding triggers may not be realistic. Healthy life style like exercise, adequate sleep, stress management and eating regularly may prevent triggers and transformation to chronification over time

Dermatological adverse drug reactions with particular reference to Steven-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis

Background: Drug therapy is an inevitable cause of cutaneous adverse reactions. Aims and Objectives: The primary aim was to identify the incidence and magnitude of various dermatological adverse reactions including Steven-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). Moreover, secondary aim was to quantify the risks associated with the use of specific medications. Materials and Methods: A prospective and hospital-based study was conducted in the department of dermatology SMHS hospital on hospitalized cases of cutaneous adverse drug reactions (CADRs). Informed consent was sought and reactions were reported on validated questionnaire based on adverse drug reaction (ADR) monitoring form provided by Central Drug Standard Control organization Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. These dermatological reactions were assessed for the clinical pattern, causative agents, and prognosis. The WHO-Uppsala Monitoring centre system for standardized case was used for causality assessment of all cases identified. Results: A total of 101 hospitalized patients with varied dermatological ADRs were reported during the study period. Cases were found more in females (n=75, 74.25%) than in males (n=26, 25.75%). CADRs that were reported in our study were exanthematous rash, fixed drug eruptions, urticarial rashes, SJS, TEN, urticarial vasculitis, anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome, erythema multiforme, contact dermatitis, exfoliative dermatitis, mucosal hyperpigmentation, and nail pigmentation, respectively. After a meticulous drug history, the drugs implicated in causing the cutaneous reactions were anticonvalscents such as phenytoin, carbamazepine, lamotrigine, and phenobarbitone. Other drugs identified were non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as oxicam, antibiotics such as sulfasalazine, cefixime, cefpodoxime, amoxicillin, fluoroquinolones such as levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin, chemotherapeutic agents such as cyclophosphamide, 5FU, and hydroxurea. Conclusion: The present study concluded that skin is most common target for ADRs. Drug-induced cutaneous reactions can be as simple as a mild rash to rare life-threatening SJS and TEN. Moreover, certain group of patients is at increased risk for developing CADR’s as women are more susceptible than men

Dual versus Monotherapy in the Prophylaxis of Acute and Chronic Migraine

Migraine, a primary headache disorder, is a debilitating condition with reduced productivity, increased disability, and a very high economic burden. The present study aimed to individualize the treatment protocols for episodic and chronic migraine in order to reduce the duration, frequency, and severity of attacks, as well as the disability associated with migraine by comparing monotherapy and dual therapy