BACKGROUND: Migraine is a highly common disorder that can cause significant disability on an individual, which collectively may lead to a substantial burden for the society. Various expert societies have recommended Acetaminophen/Aspirin/Caffeine (AAC) combination regimen as the first-line drug treatment for migraine attacks; however, there were no pooled evidences summarizing the effectiveness and tolerability of this regimen.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness and tolerability assessment of oral AAC combination regimen as an acute treatment for migraine in adults.
METHODS: Relevant studies from inception to March 2014 were searched in Cochrane CENTRAL, MEDLINE, LILACS, Scopus and metaRegister of Controlled Trials. The Cochrane Collaboration's tool for the assessment of risk of bias was employed. Trials that were randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo and active-controlled were included and the data were employed for meta-analysis. To evaluate the quality of evidence, the GRADE approach was utilized for outcomes with sufficient studies and data.
RESULTS: From 225 records identified, 4 trials were included in this review, with a total of 3,608 participants with recorded baseline characteristics. Patient-reported migraine intensity was moderate-severe and the AAC dose used was at 500/500/130 mg. At 2 hours, AAC regimen was statistically different and found to be superior to placebo in terms of pain-free, headache relief, nausea-free, photophobia-free, phonophobia-free and functional disability reduction rates using intension-to-treat analysis. Missing data did not alter the outcome measures generating robust results. Sumatriptan 100 mg was found to be better than AAC in pain-free rate, and phonophobia-free rates at 2 hours. Statistically more patients in the AAC arm experienced "any adverse event" compared to placebo and complaints were commonly nausea and nervousness.
CONCLUSION: For adult individuals with moderate-severe migraine, a fixed oral dose of Acetaminophen/Aspirin/Caffeine (AAC 500/500/130 mg) may be used as first-line therapy for the acute treatment of migraine and is only associated with mild, infrequent adverse events.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Complete information on migraine-related disabilities facilitate the making of appropriate treatment decisions. Although the accessibility and ease of use of the Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6) make it a very promising instrument, there are few data available for comparing HIT-6 scores with the actual amount of disability. METHODS: To determine whether the disability measured using the HIT-6 questionnaire realistically reflects the amount of disability as extracted from a headache diary, which would help when deciding a management plan, 130 patients with migraine without aura were instructed to complete a headache diary on the days on which headache occurred. Each diary booklet also contained questions on the resulting disability, and comprised five items originating from the Migraine Disability Assessment Scale. After submitting their diaries, the participants completed the HIT-6 for the same time period. RESULTS: Disability as recorded in diaries was present for a mean of 2.7 days per month, and its duration differed significantly with HIT-6 score: 0.9, 2.6, and 4.6 days per month for littleto-no impact, moderate impact, and severe impact, respectively. The summed disability score from diaries was also related to the HIT-6 score. Headache frequency was the only headache characteristic that contributed significantly to the HIT-6 score. CONCLUSIONS:This study demonstrates that the HIT-6 could be useful for assessing headache-related disability in migraine patients, especially given that the questionnaire is both simple and ease of use.
Headache ; Humans ; Migraine Disorders ; Migraine without Aura ; Pamphlets ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the therapeutic effects of topiramate differ according to the types of migraine. METHODS: We recruited 38 children and adolescents with migraine who had been treated with topiramate. The effect of topiramate was evaluated on the basis of the change in the frequency of migraine attacks after treatment. RESULTS: Among patients having migraine with aura, 85.7% showed complete recovery, 1 (7.1%) showed partial recovery, and 1 did not show any recovery. Among patients having migraine without aura, 47.1% showed complete recovery, 29.4 % showed partial recovery, and 23.5% showed no recovery. Among patients suspected with migraine, 1 (20%) showed complete recovery, 1 (20%) showed partial recovery, and 3 (60%) showed no recovery. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that topiramate exhibited excellent therapeutic effects for migraine accompanied with aura, and it was effective in migraine without aura. However, the effect of topiramate in patients suspected with migraine was uncertain.
Adolescent ; Child ; Epilepsy ; Fructose ; Humans ; Migraine Disorders ; Migraine with Aura ; Migraine without Aura

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical course and prognosis of migraines in childhood and adolescence, and the influence of preventive therapy on them. METHODS: We recruited 110 children and adolescents with migraines who had been newly diagnosed and treated. Treatment was composed of observation after consultation, acute symptomatic treatment, and preventive therapy. We prescribed topiramate for preventive therapy. The recipients of preventive therapy were those patients who complained of disturbance in daily life due to severe headache. The clinical course was evaluated on the basis of changes in the frequency of migraine attack and was divided into three groups: complete recovery, partial recovery, and non-recovery. The prognosis of migraine was classified into those free from migraine attack, decreased, and persistant. RESULTS: Forty-six (41.8%) of 110 patients completely recovered, and 70 (63.6%) were free from migraine attack. In those suffering from migraines without aura, 38.3% of the patients completely recovered and 59.6% were free from migraine attack. Regarding migraines with aura, 58.5% of the patients completely recovered and 70.7% were free from migraine attack. With respect to cases of probable migraine, 18.2% completely recovered and 59.6% were free from migraine attack. In those receiving preventive treatment, 80.0% of all patients completely recovered and 85.0% were free from migraine. According to migraine type, 66.7% of patients with migraine without aura completely recovered and 80% were free from migraine. In those with migraine and aura, 88.8% of patients completely recovered and 88.8% were free from migraine attack. CONCLUSION: It was estimated that the clinical course and prognosis of migraine patients who were treated by pediatric neurologists were generally good. The clinical course was better in the preventive therapy group. In particular, the effect of preventive treatment and prognosis were optimal in patients with migraine with aura.
Adolescent ; Child ; Epilepsy ; Fructose ; Headache ; Humans ; Migraine Disorders ; Migraine with Aura ; Migraine without Aura ; Prognosis ; Stress, Psychological

OBJECTIVETo observe and evaluate the short-term and long-term curative effects of the synthetic auricular point therapy on the common migraine in attack stage.

METHODSWith the study method of randomized controlled trial, 108 cases of common migraine at the attack stage were randomly assigned to a treatment group of 72 cases treated with synthetic auricular point therapy (blood-letting on the ear back, point injection of own blood, pricking ear point), and a control group of 36 cases treated with Western medicine. Their short-term and long-term curative effects were observed and evaluated.

RESULTSThe total short-term effective rate and the total long-term effective rate were respectively 98.6% and 79. 6% in the treatment group with less adverse effects, and with a very significant difference as compared with the control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe synthetic auricular point therapy has obvious short-term and long-term curative effects on common migraine at the attack stage with safety.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the potential association between valvular strands and migraine with aura.

METHODSDuring a 1-year period,transesophageal echocardiography was performed in 51 consecutive patients with migraine with aura and 75 control subjects who underwent transesophageal echocardiography for other purposes and had no history of migraine. The presence of aortic and mitral valve strands was evaluated.

RESULTSThe incidence of valvular strands was 21.5% (11/51) in migraine patients and 28.0% (21/75) in control subjects (Χ²=0.663, P=0.416). The incidence of patent foramen ovale was significantly higher in patients with migraine with aura than in control subjects (50.9% vs.29.3%) (Χ²=6.302, P=0.012). The incidence of aortic valve strands was significantly higher than that of mitral valve strands in migraine patients (Χ²=4.320,P=0.038).

CONCLUSIONValvular strands are not associated with migraine with aura and show little clinical significance.

BACKGROUND: Headache is one of the most common disorders, and shows ethnic or geographic diversities. Moreover, the prevalence and epidemiologic characteristics of headache, especially in people living in an island area, is lacking. Therefore, we investigated the prevalence and subtypes of headache in an island area of Korea. METHODS: We collected the demographic and clinical data of all residents living in the survey island area. A neurologist interviewed 352 respondents in a face-to-face method. The specific headache diagnosis was based on the diagnostic criteria of the International Headache Society. RESULTS: The survey island area represented a typical aging society like that of a rural area in Korea. Tension-type headache was the most common type. The prevalence of migraine, tension-type headache, and other headache were 4.0%, 7.1%, and 1.7%, respectively. Migraine with aura occupied 1.7% and migraine without aura occupied 2.3%. Episodic tension-type headache occupied 6.5% and chronic tension-type headache occupied 0.6%. Migraine showed a peak prevalence below the third decade of age and tension-type headache showed a peak prevalence above the sixth decade. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a characteristic pattern of the prevalence of headache in an island area of Korea. We thought this low prevalence of headache might be due to not only subject age but also social-environmental factors. This study may be helpful in understanding headaches and can provide some basic information for future studies.
Aging ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Diagnosis ; Epidemiology ; Headache* ; Korea* ; Migraine Disorders ; Migraine with Aura ; Migraine without Aura ; Prevalence ; Tension-Type Headache

BACKGROUND: White-matter abnormalities (WMAs) are frequently encountered on MRI conducted for the diagnosis of headache. Although many studies have suggested an association between migraine and stroke or WMAs, no definite conclusions can be drawn from these data because of confounding factors. The purpose of our study was thus to determine whether the incidence and location of WMAs in migraine differ from those in tension-type headache. METHODS: The MRI findings of 180 patients (130 with migraine and 50 with tension-type headache) under 45 years of age without vascular risk factors were reviewed. MRI findings were reviewed with respect to focal white-matter hyperintensities on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery. The frequency, location, and volume of the abnormalities were measured. RESULTS: WMAs were observed in 24% of patients with migraine and 28% of those with tension-type headache (p=0.71). The number and volume of abnormalities in both groups were not different. WMAs were most frequently located in the subcortical area in both groups. The age of patients with WMAs was older than patients without abnormalities (36.4+/-7.2 vs 29.6+/-9.2, mean+/-SD; p<0.01). There was a positive correlation between patient age and the volume of WMAs (p=0.04). In the migraine group, WMAs were seen in 21% of patients with migraine without aura and in 60% of those with migraine with aura (p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Although the characteristics of WMAs were not different between patients with migraine and those with tension-type headache, the incidence of WMAs was significantly higher in migraine with aura. This may be extrapolated to an increased risk for stroke in patients with migraine with aura, but not in those with migraine without aura.
Headache ; Humans ; Incidence ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Migraine Disorders ; Migraine with Aura ; Migraine without Aura ; Risk Factors ; Stroke ; Tension-Type Headache

BACKGROUND: Several population- and clinic-based studies have investigated the clinical characteristics of migraine with aura in Western countries. However, migraine with aura has not been investigated in Korea or other Asian countries. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and characteristics of migraine with aura in Korea. METHODS: We consecutively recruited patients with migraine from 2010 to 2014 in the Eulji Headache Clinic. Migraines with and without aura were diagnosed according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders-II criteria based on a clinical interview and structured questionnaire. RESULTS: In total, 97 (35% males and 65% females) and 649 (12% males and 88% females) patients were diagnosed as migraines with and without aura, respectively. Visual aura was the most common type of aura (94%) among patients with migraine with aura, followed by sensory aura (6%) and then speech aura, retinal aura, and brainstem aura (each 3%). The most frequently accompanying headache type was migraine (77%), followed by nonmigraine headache (17%), with no headache presenting in 6% of patients. Migraine without aura was the most common headache (61%) outside of migraine with aura, followed by nonmigraine headache (14%). CONCLUSIONS: Only 13% of migraineurs have aura symptoms. Nonvisual aura symptoms are rare in Korean patients with migraine with aura.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Brain Stem ; Classification ; Epilepsy ; Headache ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Migraine Disorders* ; Migraine with Aura* ; Migraine without Aura ; Retinaldehyde

Technetium 99m hexamethylene-propyleneamine oxime(Tc 99m HM-PAO) SPECT brain imaging was performed in patients with migraine without aura(n=32) and migraine with aura(n-29) during the headache-free period. A regional alteration of tracer uptake into brain was observed in 21 cases of migraine without aura (65.6%, 18 cases : reduction, 3 cases : increment) and in 20 cases of migraine with aura(69%, all cases reduction, including 10 cases : hemiplegic or hemisensory aura, 10 cases only visual aura). In most cases(73.3%) of migraine with aura, the areas of decreased tracer uptake was exclusively concordant with the areas of unilateral aura. The concordance between the area of associated focal neurological symptom(aura) and the area of regional hypoperfmion was observed in 9 cases(69.2%) of hemiplegic or hemisensory aura(13 cases). The concordance between the site of headache and the areas of regional hypoperfusion or hyperperfusion was observed in 30 cases(49.2%) of migraine with or without aura. Therefore an impaired regional cerebral vascular autoregulation may exist even during headache free intervals in patients suffering migraine with or without aura. It may be concluded that migraine attacks occur in association with exacerbation of preexisting change of cerebral autoregulation.
Brain ; Epilepsy ; Headache ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Migraine Disorders* ; Migraine with Aura ; Migraine without Aura ; Neuroimaging ; Technetium ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*