Efficacy and tolerability of levetiracetam as prohylactic treatment of migraine with aura: A preliminary open label study

non present

Efficacy and tolerability of Levetiracetam as prophylactic treatment of migraine with aura: a preliminary open-label study

non present

rTMS of the prefrontal cortex in the treatment of chronic migraine: a pilot study

A recent fMRI study showed that dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) exerts an inhibitory control on pain pathways in humans. We investigated whether high-frequency rTMS over left DLPFC could ameliorate chronic migraine. Treatment consisted of 12 rTMS sessions, delivered in alternate days over left DLPFC. Sham rTMS was used as placebo. Eleven patients were randomly assigned to the rTMS (n=6) or to the placebo (n=5) treatment. Measures of attack frequency, headache index, number of abortive medications (outcome measures) were recorded in the month before, during and in the month after treatment. Subjects treated by rTMS showed a significant reduction of the outcome measures during and in the month after the treatment as compared to the month before treatment. No significant differences in the outcome measures were observed in the placebo group

HIGH PREVALENCE AND FAST RISING INCIDENCE OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS IN CALTANISSETTA, SICILY, SOUTHERN ITALY.

Background: Epidemiological studies conducted in Sicily and Sardinia, the two major Mediterranean islands, showed elevated incidence and prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS)and a recent increase in disease frequency. Objective: To confirm the central highlands of Sicily as areas of increasing MS prevalence and elevated incidence, we performed a follow-up study based on the town of Caltanissetta (Sicily), southern Italy. Methods: We made a formal diagnostic reappraisal of all living patients found in the previous study performed in 1981. All possible information sources were used to search for patients affected by MS diagnosed according to the Poser criteria. We calculated prevalence ratios, for patients affected by MS who were living and resident in the study area on December 31, 2002. Crude and age- and sex-specific incidence ratios were computed for the period from January 1, 1993, to December 31, 2002. Results: The prevalence of definite MS rose in 20 years from 69.2 (retrospective prevalence rate) to 165.8/100,000 population. We calculated the incidence of definite MS for the period 1970–2000. These rates calculated for 5-year periods increased from 2.3 to 9.2/100,000/year. Conclusion: This survey shows the highest prevalence and incidence figures of MS in the Mediterranean area and confirms central Sicily as a very-high-risk area for MS

Effectiveness of adalimumab for ulcerative colitis: A multicentre, retrospective study of clinical practice in Italy

Background: Adalimumab is used to treat ulcerative colitis, but additional effectiveness and safety data are needed.Patients and methods: This retrospective study considered adults with ulcerative colitis treated with adalimumab at 19 hospitals. Clinical data were collected from the start of treatment, after 2, 6 and 12 months, and at the last visit. Outcome measures of effectiveness were treatment duration, reasons for discontinuation and colectomy. Results: We studied 381 patients treated with adalimumab for a median of 12.1 months. Disease activity at the start of treatment was moderate to severe in 262 cases (68.8%) and endoscopic activity was moderate to severe in 339 cases (89.0%). At week 8, clinical responses were observed in 177 cases (46.5%) and clinical remission in 136 cases (35.7%). At 12 months, remission was observed in 128 cases (33.6%). Overall, 44 patients required colectomy, and 170 patients (4 4.6%) were still taking adalimumab when data were collected. Variables associated with adalimumab discontinuation were concomitant steroid treatment, severe clinical-endoscopic activity at baseline, need for adalimumab intensification and drug-related adverse events. Variables associated with colectomy were concomitant steroid treatment and high baseline C-reactive protein. Conclusion: Adalimumab is safe and effective for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.(c) 2021 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l