1.Comparison of botulinum toxin type-A and divalproex sodium for prevention of chronic and episodic migraine
Ahmad Chitsaz ; Abbas Ghorbani ; Hadi Hoseinzadeh ; Fatemeh Nazari ; Rasul Norouzi ; Soufi Tajic
Neurology Asia 2012;17(2):127-132
Background & Objective: There is a need for a more effective and better tolerated prophylactic treatment
of migraine. This study aims to compare the effi cacy of botulinum toxin type-A (Dysport) and divalproex
sodium (divalproex) as prophylactic treatment in patients with episodic or chronic migraine. Methods:
This was a randomized, cross-over, single-center clinical trial. Participants were randomly divided into
two treatment groups. Two phases of intervention were arranged (each for three months). In the fi rst
phase, patients received either Dysport (125 units) or divalproex (200 mg bid for three months). The
patients were left for a three months washout period, and then the treatment agents were swapped in
the second stage. The response to each treatment was assessed at the end of each phase. Results: With
divalproex, the frequency, intensity and duration of headache, as well as analgesic consumption were
signifi cantly reduced (p<0.05) in both episodic and chronic patients. However, Dysport demonstrated
signifi cant effi cacy only in patients with episodic migraine. In chronic migraine, Dysport only showed
a non signifi cant trend to benefi t in these parameters, with exception of headache intensity,where it
resulted in signifi cant improvement from baseline. Divalproex was signifi cantly superior to Dysport,
in terms of headache frequency and intensity in patients with episodic migraine.
Conclusions: Both Dysport and divalproex are effective prophylactic therapies for patients with episodic
migraine. Divalproex but not Dysport was signifi cantly effective for chronic migraine.
2.Pizotifen in migraine prevention: A comparison with sodium valproate
Ahmad Chitsaz ; Mohammad Reza Najafi ; Foroud Aghapour Zangeneh ; Rasul Norouzi ; Mehri Salari
Neurology Asia 2012;17(4):319-324
Background & Objective: Pizotifen is an alternative option for prophylactic treatment of migraine
headache. This study aims to compare the effi cacy and safety of pizotifen with sodium valproate; one
of the most-widely used drugs in migraine prevention. Methods: This was a single blind, randomized,
parallel-group study. After a 4-week baseline evaluation, patients with episodic migraine were randomly
assigned to get either sodium valproate or pizotifen for a period of 12 weeks. Patients were asked to
fi ll a headache diary through the study. Headache characteristics and the possible side effects were
evaluated throughout and at the end of trial. Results: Forty two patients aged 20 to 49 were recruited
to the study. With both drugs, the frequency, intensity and duration of headaches were signifi cantly
reduced (p < 0.05). Except for headache duration, pizotifen was signifi cantly superior to sodium
valproate in the headache parameters assessed. Total reported side effects were initially higher in
patients who received pizotifen (37 vs. 22; P= 0.038); however, persistent side effects were lower for
pizotifen (6 vs. 10; P= 0.22).
Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that pizotifen is a safe and effective drug in migraine
prevention.
3.Dietary Intake of Thiamine in Migraine Patients and Healthy Subjects: a Case-Control Study
Hossein FARAJI ; Zamzam PAKNAHAD ; Ahmad CHITSAZ
Clinical Nutrition Research 2018;7(1):40-47
The migraine headache is a disease related to the neurovascular system, which affects 10%–20% of people, worldwide. Recent evidences suggested a relation between thiamine status and migraine headaches. The current study was undertaken to assess dietary intake of the thiamine in migraine patients and to evaluate its association with the frequency of migraine attacks. In a case-control design, the current study was performed on 50 migraine patients and 50 healthy people, 20–60 years old in Isfahan, Iran, in 2017. Information about dietary intake was collected by Food frequency questionnaire and analyzed using the Nutritionist version 4 (N4) software (Tinuviel Software). Information about the history of disease was collected by demographic questionnaire. Analysis of covariance and independent t-test were used for data analysis and p value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Mean age, weight, height, and body mass index of participants were 35.1 ± 9.8 years, 65.3 ± 10.4 kg, 162.5 ± 8.4 cm, and 24.7 ± 4.0 kg/m², respectively. Dietary intake of thiamine among the migraine patients was lower than that in the healthy participants (p < 0.001). Migraine patients with the high frequency attacks had significantly lower intake of thiamine compared with moderate frequency attacks group (p = 0.010), however, it was not significant after adjusting for energy intake (p = 0.410, p = 0.240). Dietary intake of thiamine in migraine patients was not significantly different in comparing with healthy subjects. In addition, no significant correlation between thiamine intake and the frequency of migraine attacks was observed.
Body Mass Index
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Case-Control Studies
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Diet
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Energy Intake
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Healthy Volunteers
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Humans
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Iran
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Migraine Disorders
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Nutritionists
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Statistics as Topic
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Thiamine