Soluble CD40 ligand and prolactin levels in migraine patients during interictal period.

The relationship of migraine with cardiovascular diseases has been clarified by many studies, and currently, migraine is suggested to be a systematic vasculopathy. Inflammation, thrombosis and impaired vascular reactivity are the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of the vasculopathy. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between prolactin levels and subclinical atherosclerosis risk factors such as soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) and high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) in migraine patients during interictal period. Fifty female migraine patients and age-matched 25 female control cases were enrolled in the study. Migraine diagnosis was settled according to the ICHD-II diagnostic criteria. A questionnaire was completed about the existence of vascular risk factors. Serum samples were used to measure sCD40L, hsCRP and prolactin levels. No difference was found between the prolactin levels of the migraine patients and the controls. The sCD40L levels were significantly higher in migraine patients (p < 0.001). High-sensitivity CRP levels showed no difference between the groups. There was no correlation between prolactin, sCD40L, and hs-CRP levels in migraine patients. We consider that the migraine patients are prone to subclinical atherosclerosis, but this tendency is independent of prolactin levels.

Entrapment neuropathies in chronic stroke patients.

Stroke is the third most common cause of mortality and is one of the most common causes of morbidity in the world. Entrapment neuropathies may cause morbidity after stroke. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the development of entrapment neuropathies in severe stroke patients within the chronic stages of the event. Thirty-two patients with first ever ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke were included in the study. The nerve conduction studies were performed at least 6 months after the event. Ten age- and sex-matched healthy subjects were evaluated as control subjects. Twelve patients (37.5%) had median nerve neuropathy at the wrist, and 12 patients (37.5%) had ulnar nerve neuropathy at the elbow in the symptomatic extremities. Eight patients (25%) had median nerve neuropathy at the wrist, and 6 patients (18.7%) had ulnar nerve neuropathy at the elbow in the asymptomatic extremities. Our results confirm that in chronic stroke patients, the entrapment neuropathies may be an important cause for morbidity, and these entrapment neuropathies could be seen bilaterally but more prominent in the paretic sides.