Risk Factors and Temporal Patterns of Poststroke Epilepsy across Stroke Subtypes: Insights from a Nationwide Cohort Study in Korea.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to investigate the risk factors associated with poststroke epilepsy (PSE) among patients with different subtypes of stroke, focusing on age-related risk and time-varying effects of stroke subtypes on PSE development. METHODS: A retrospective, nationwide, population-based cohort study was conducted using Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort data. Patients hospitalized with newly diagnosed stroke from 2005 to 2015 were included and followed up for up to 10 years. The primary outcome was the development of PSE, defined as having a diagnostic code and a prescription for anti-seizure medication. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate PSE hazard ratios (HRs), and time-varying effects were also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 8,305 patients with ischemic stroke, 1,563 with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and 931 with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) were included. During 10 years of follow-up, 4.6% of patients developed PSE. Among patients with ischemic stroke, significant risk factors for PSE were younger age (HR = 1.47), living in rural areas (HR = 1.35), admission through the emergency room (HR = 1.33), and longer duration of hospital stay (HR = 1.45). Time-varying analysis revealed elevated HRs for ICH and SAH, particularly in the first 2 years following the stroke. The age-specific HRs also showed an increased risk for those under the age of 65, with a noticeable decrease in risk beyond that age. CONCLUSION: The risk of developing PSE varies according to stroke subtype, age, and other demographic factors. These findings underscore the importance of tailored poststroke monitoring and management strategies to mitigate the risk of PSE.

International Headache Society global practice recommendations for the acute pharmacological treatment of migraine.

BACKGROUND: In an effort to improve migraine management around the world, the International Headache Society (IHS) has here developed a list of practical recommendations for the acute pharmacological treatment of migraine. The recommendations are categorized into optimal and essential, in order to provide treatment options for all possible settings, including those with limited access to migraine medications. METHODS: An IHS steering committee developed a list of clinical questions based on practical issues in the management of migraine. A selected group of international senior and junior headache experts developed the recommendations, following expert consensus and the review of available national and international headache guidelines and guidance documents. Following the initial search, a bibliography of twenty-one national and international guidelines was created and reviewed by the working group. RESULTS: A total of seventeen questions addressing different aspects of acute migraine treatment have been outlined. For each of them we provide an optimal recommendation, to be used whenever possible, and an essential recommendation to be used when the optimal level cannot be attained. CONCLUSION: Adoption of these international recommendations will improve the quality of acute migraine treatment around the world, even where pharmacological options remain limited.

Effect of prednisolone for the treatment of medication-overuse headache: A 3-month result from a multicenter REgistry for Load and management of mEdicAtion overuSE headache (RELEASE) study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of prednisolone in the treatment of medication-overuse headache (MOH) using data from a multicenter prospective registry (Registry for Load and Management of Medication Overuse Headache [RELEASE]). BACKGROUND: The treatment of MOH is challenging, especially when withdrawal headache manifests during the cessation of overused medication. Although systemic corticosteroids have been empirically used to reduce withdrawal headaches, their efficacy on the long-term outcomes of MOH has not been documented. METHODS: This was a post hoc analysis of the RELEASE study. The RELEASE is an ongoing multicenter observational cohort study in which patients with MOH have been recruited from seven hospitals in Korea since April 2020. Clinical characteristics, disease profiles, treatments, and outcomes were assessed at baseline and specific time points. We analyzed the effect of prednisolone on MOH reversal at 3 months. RESULTS: Among the 309 patients enrolled during the study period, prednisolone was prescribed to 59/309 (19.1%) patients at a dose ranging from 10 to 40 mg/day for 5-14 days; 228/309 patients (73.8%) completed the 3-month follow-up period. The MOH reversal rates at 3 months after baseline were 76% (31/41) in the prednisolone group and 57.8% (108/187) in the non-prednisolone group (p = 0.034). The effect of steroids remained significant (adjusted odds ratio 2.78, 95% confidence interval 1.27-6.1, p = 0.010) after adjusting for the number of monthly headache days at baseline, mode of discontinuation of overused medication, use of early preventive medications, and the number of preventive medications combined. CONCLUSIONS: Although our observational study could not draw a definitive conclusion, prednisolone may be effective in the treatment of MOH.

Advances in Exercise in the Clinical Trials of Migraine: A Scoping Review.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review aimed to investigate emerging evidence regarding the effectiveness of exercise for migraines, focusing on the results of recent trials. Additionally, it explored the possibility of exercise as a treatment for migraines. RECENT FINDINGS: Between 2020 and 2023, five, four, one, and two trials were conducted regarding the effect of aerobic exercise, anaerobic exercise, Tai Chi, and yoga, respectively, on migraine; all studies showed significant effects. Two trials on aerobic exercise showed that high-intensity exercise was similar to or slightly more effective than moderate-intensity exercise as a treatment for migraines. Three trials on anaerobic exercise reported its effectiveness in preventing migraines. Regarding efficacy, side effects, and health benefits, aerobic exercises and yoga are potentially beneficial strategies for the prevention of migraines. Further studies are needed to develop evidence-based exercise programs for the treatment of migraines.

Trends in Triptan Usage in Korea: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Migraine presents a significant global health problem that emphasizes the need for efficient acute treatment options. Triptans, introduced in the early 1990s, have substantially advanced migraine management owing to their effectiveness compared to that of traditional medications. However, data on triptan use in migraine management from Asian countries, where migraines tend to have milder symptoms than those in European and North American countries, are limited. This study aimed to identify the trends in triptan usage in Korea. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort spanning from 2002 to 2019. Patients with migraine were identified using the International Classification of Diseases 10th revision codes, and triptan prescriptions were evaluated annually in terms of quantity, pills per patient, and associated costs. The distribution of triptan prescriptions across different medical specialties was also examined. Factors contributing to the odds of triptan use were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: From 2002 to 2019, the total number of triptan tablets, prescriptions, and patients using triptans increased by 24.0, 17.1, and 13.6 times, respectively, with sumatriptan being the most frequently prescribed type of triptan. Additionally, the number of prescriptions and related costs have consistently increased despite stable pricing because of government regulation. By 2019, only approximately one-tenth of all patients with migraines had been prescribed triptans, although there was a notable increase in prescriptions over the study period. These prescription patterns varied according to the physician's specialty. After adjusting for patient-specific factors including age and sex, the odds of prescribing triptans were higher for neurologists than for internal medicine physicians (odds ratio 2.875, P < 0.001), while they were lower for general practitioners (odds ratio 0.220, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The findings revealed an increasing trend in triptan use among individuals with migraines in Korea, aligning with global usage patterns. Despite these increases, the overall prescription rate of triptans remains low, indicating potential underutilization and highlighting the need for improved migraine management strategies across all medical fields. Further efforts are necessary to optimize the use of triptans in treating migraines effectively.

Altered immunity in migraine: a comprehensive scoping review.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of migraine remains unclear; however, a large body of evidence supports the hypothesis that immunological mechanisms play a key role. Therefore, we aimed to review current studies on altered immunity in individuals with migraine during and outside attacks. METHODS: We searched the PubMed database to investigate immunological changes in patients with migraine. We then added other relevant articles on altered immunity in migraine to our search. RESULTS: Database screening identified 1,102 articles, of which 41 were selected. We added another 104 relevant articles. We found studies reporting elevated interictal levels of some proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-6 and TNF-α. Anti-inflammatory cytokines showed various findings, such as increased TGF-ß and decreased IL-10. Other changes in humoral immunity included increased levels of chemokines, adhesion molecules, and matrix metalloproteinases; activation of the complement system; and increased IgM and IgA. Changes in cellular immunity included an increase in T helper cells, decreased cytotoxic T cells, decreased regulatory T cells, and an increase in a subset of natural killer cells. A significant comorbidity of autoimmune and allergic diseases with migraine was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our review summarizes the findings regarding altered humoral and cellular immunological findings in human migraine. We highlight the possible involvement of immunological mechanisms in the pathogenesis of migraine. However, further studies are needed to expand our knowledge of the exact role of immunological mechanisms in migraine pathogenesis.

Clinical profile and treatment outcomes of idiopathic intracranial hypertension: a multicenter study from Korea.

BACKGROUND: Currently, there is a relative lack of detailed reports regarding clinical presentation and outcome of idiopathic intracranial hypertension in Asians. This study aims to describe the clinical features and treatment outcomes of Korean patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension. METHODS: We prospectively recruited patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension from one hospital and retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 11 hospitals in Korea. We collected data regarding preceding medical conditions or suspected medication exposure, headache phenotypes, other associated symptoms, detailed neuroimaging findings, treatments, and outcomes after 1-2 and 3-6 months of treatment. RESULTS: Fifty-nine (83.1% women) patients were included. The mean body mass index was 29.11 (standard deviation, 5.87) kg/m2; only 27 patients (45.8%) had a body mass index of ≥ 30 kg/m2. Fifty-one (86.4%) patients experienced headaches, patterns of which included chronic migraine (15/51 [29.4%]), episodic migraine (8/51 [15.7%]), probable migraine (4/51 [7.8%]), chronic tension-type headache (3/51 [5.9%]), episodic tension-type headache (2/51 [3.9%]), probable tension-type headache (2/51 [3.9%]), and unclassified (17/51 [33.3%]). Medication overuse headache was diagnosed in 4/51 (7.8%) patients. After 3-6 months of treatment, the intracranial pressure normalized in 8/32 (25.0%), improved in 17/32 (53.1%), no changed in 7/32 (21.9%), and worsened in none. Over the same period, headaches remitted or significantly improved by more than 50% in 24/39 patients (61.5%), improved less than 50% in 9/39 (23.1%), and persisted or worsened in 6/39 (15.4%) patients. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the features of Asian patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension may be atypical (i.e., less likely obese, less female predominance). A wide spectrum of headache phenotypes was observed. Medical treatment resulted in overall favorable short-term outcomes; however, the headaches did not improve in a small proportion of patients.

MRI-Based Radiomics Approach for Differentiating Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy from Epilepsy with Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures Alone.

BACKGROUND: The clinical presentation of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) and epilepsy with generalized tonic-clonic seizures alone (GTCA) is similar, and MRI scans are often perceptually normal in both conditions making them challenging to differentiate. PURPOSE: To develop and validate an MRI-based radiomics model to accurately diagnose JME and GTCA, as well as to classify prognostic groups. STUDY TYPE: Retrospective. POPULATION: 164 patients (127 with JME and 37 with GTCA) patients (age 24.0 ± 9.6; 50% male), divided into training (n = 114) and test (n = 50) sets in a 7:3 ratio with the same proportion of JME and GTCA patients kept in both sets. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 3T; 3D T1-weighted spoiled gradient-echo. ASSESSMENT: A total of 17 region-of-interest in the brain were identified as having clinical evidence of association with JME and GTCA, from where 1581 radiomics features were extracted for each subject. Forty-eight machine-learning combinations of oversampling, feature selection, and classification algorithms were explored to develop an optimal radiomics model. The performance of the best radiomics models for diagnosis and for classification of the favorable outcome group were evaluated in the test set. STATISTICAL TESTS: Model performance measured using area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) analysis to estimate the contribution of each radiomics feature. RESULTS: The AUC (95% confidence interval) of the best radiomics models for diagnosis and for classification of favorable outcome group were 0.767 (0.591-0.943) and 0.717 (0.563-0.871), respectively. SHAP analysis revealed that the first-order and textural features of the caudate, cerebral white matter, thalamus proper, and putamen had the highest importance in the best radiomics model. CONCLUSION: The proposed MRI-based radiomics model demonstrated the potential to diagnose JME and GTCA, as well as to classify prognostic groups. MRI regions associated with JME, such as the basal ganglia, thalamus, and cerebral white matter, appeared to be important for constructing radiomics models. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3.

Altered interictal serum histamine and immunoglobulin E but unchanged tryptase levels in individuals with episodic and chronic migraine.

BACKGROUND: Serum histamine, immunoglobulin E, and tryptase are markers of allergic diseases. Despite the reported association between migraine and allergic diseases, differences in these marker levels between episodic and chronic migraines remain unelucidated. METHODS: We investigated serum histamine, immunoglobulin E, and tryptase levels in 97 and 96 participants with episodic migraine and chronic migraine, respectively, and 56 controls according to the presence of allergic diseases. RESULTS: Serum histamine levels in episodic migraine (median and interquartile ranges, 0.78 [0.65-1.25] ng/mL, p < 0.001) and chronic migraine (0.89 [0.67-1.28] ng/mL, p < 0.001) participants were significantly lower than those in healthy controls (1.19 [0.81-2.08] ng/mL) among the 160 participants without allergic diseases. Serum immunoglobulin E levels in episodic migraine and chronic migraine participants with allergic diseases negatively correlated with headache frequency (correlation coefficient = -0.263, p = 0.017). Serum histamine levels in participants with allergic diseases and serum immunoglobulin E levels in participants without allergic diseases were not significantly different among episodic migraine, chronic migraine, and control groups. Serum tryptase levels did not significantly differ among episodic migraine, chronic migraine, and control participants with and without allergic diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Altered serum histamine and immunoglobulin E levels in episodic migraine and chronic migraine and different profiles concerning allergic diseases suggest the involvement of allergic mechanisms in migraine pathogenesis.

Treatment pattern and response for cluster headache in Korea: A prospective multicenter observation study.

BACKGROUND: Only limited data are available regarding the treatment status and response to cluster headache in an Asian population. Therefore, this study aimed to provide a real-world treatment pattern of cluster headache and the response rate of each treatment in an Asian population. METHODS: Patients with cluster headache were recruited between September 2016 and January 2019 from 16 hospitals in Korea. At the baseline visit, we surveyed the patients about their previous experience of cluster headache treatment, and acute and/or preventive treatments were prescribed at the physician's discretion. Treatment response was prospectively evaluated using a structured case-report form at 2 ± 2 weeks after baseline visit and reassessed after three months. RESULTS: Among 295 recruited patients, 262 experiencing active bouts were included. Only one-third of patients reported a previous experience of evidence-based treatment. At the baseline visit, oral triptans (73.4%), verapamil (68.3%), and systemic steroids (55.6%) were the three most common treatments prescribed by the investigators. Most treatments were given as combination. For acute treatment, oral triptans and oxygen were effective in 90.1% and 86.8% of the patients, respectively; for preventive treatment, evidence-based treatments, i.e. monotherapy or different combinations of verapamil, lithium, systemic steroids, and suboccipital steroid injection, helped 75.0% to 91.8% of patients. CONCLUSION: Our data provide the first prospective analysis of treatment responses in an Asian population with cluster headache. The patients responded well to treatment despite the limited availability of treatment options, and this might be attributed at least in part by combination of medications. Most patients were previously undertreated, suggesting a need to raise awareness of cluster headache among primary physicians.

Headache in Pediatric Moyamoya Disease after Revascularization Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with moyamoya disease (MMD) often have headaches after successful revascularization surgery. We aimed to characterize headache in surgically treated MMD patients and elucidate its clinical meaning and pathophysiology. METHODS: Headache and related symptoms were surveyed using structured questionnaires in pediatric MMD patients with follow-up for 6 months or longer after indirect revascularization surgery. Clinical information including initial presentation, surgical method, and outcome was collected from medical records. Surgical outcomes were assessed clinically and by perfusion imaging. We defined "headache associated with MMD" as the headache accompanied by a transient ischemic attack or provoked by hyperventilation. Other headaches were further classified based on the diagnostic criteria of the International Headache Society-3. We analyzed the characteristics of "headache associated with MMD" and newly developed headache after surgery. RESULTS: Among 90 participants, 65 (72.2%) had headaches within the last year before survey, including 28 (43.1%) with "headaches associated with MMD," 10 (15.3%) with probable migraines, 2 (3.1%) with infrequent episodic tension-type headaches, and 4 (6.2%) with probable tension-type headaches. Headache quality was pulsatile in 27 (41.5%) patients and pressing or tightening in 27 (41.5%) patients. Nausea or vomiting was accompanied in 30 (46.2%) patients. Headache upon awakening was reported in 37 (57.8%) patients. Headache disturbed daily life in 12 (18.5%) patients. Among the 32 (35.6%) patients who suffered headache during both the pre- and postoperative period, the headache quality was similar in 27 (84.4%) patients, and its severity decreased in 24 (75.0%) and did not change in 8 (25.0%) patients. Twelve (13.3%) patients experienced newly developed headaches after surgery. Among them, six (50.0%) were classified as having "headaches associated with MMD." They were predominantly electric shock-like or stabbing in 5 (45.6%) patients and nondisturbing in all patients. All 90 patients achieved improvement of ischemic symptoms after surgery. CONCLUSION: Headaches often persist or newly develop after revascularization surgery in MMD patients. Accompanying nausea or vomiting and occurrence upon awakening are characteristic features. Postoperative headache does not necessarily imply insufficient disease control.

Serological Biomarkers of Chronic Migraine.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Chronic migraine (CM) is a chronic form of migraine that differs from episodic migraine (EM) in terms of prevalence, comorbidities, response to treatment, and biomarkers. The aim of this review was to summarize the recent findings on serological biomarkers of CM. RECENT FINDINGS: Neuronal, inflammatory, and vascular markers have been investigated to assess their diagnostic and prognostic ability and treatment effectiveness. Several markers showed significant alterations according to disease status and treatment response in CM. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), glutamate, and adiponectin appear to be the most promising blood biomarkers for CM. Most studies have shown altered ictal and interictal levels of these markers in CM compared with those in EM and controls. Additionally, they showed a significant association with treatment outcomes. Total adiponectin and high-molecular-weight adiponectin levels were less studied as biomarkers of CM than CGRP and glutamate levels but showed promising results. The development of suitable biomarkers could revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of CM and ultimately decrease the disability and societal costs of the disease.

Fatigue or excessive daytime sleepiness: which is more closely related to depression?

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: This study investigated fatigue and excessive daytime sleepiness to determine which was more closely related to depression in the general population. PATIENTS/METHODS: Participants were investigated across 15 South Korean districts. Excessive daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and depression were evaluated using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), respectively. Depression was defined as PHQ-9 ≥ 10. The authors classified the combination of excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue as excessive daytime sleepiness with fatigue (E+F+, ESS ≥ 11, FSS ≥ 36), fatigue without excessive daytime sleepiness (E-F+, ESS < 11, FSS ≥ 36), excessive daytime sleepiness without fatigue (E+F-, ESS ≥ 11, FSS < 36), and no fatigue and excessive daytime sleepiness (E-F-, ESS < 11, FSS < 36). RESULTS: Among 2,493 participants (1,257 women), mean age was 47.9 ± 0.3 years. The prevalence of depression, fatigue, and excessive daytime sleepiness was 8.4% (n = 210), 30.8% (n = 767), and 15.3% (n = 382), respectively. The frequency of the four categories with depression (vs. controls) was as follows.: E+F+ (n = 67, 31.9% vs. 7.3%) (P < 0.001), E-F+ (n = 71, 33.8% vs. 20.3%) (P < 0.001), E+F-( n = 16, 7.6% vs. 5.8%) (P = 0.294), and E-F- (n = 56, 26.7% vs. 66.6%) (P < 0.001). After adjusting for covariates, depression was associated with E+F+ (odds ratio, OR 8.804, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.818-13.132), E-F+ (OR 3.942, 95% CI 2.704-5.747), E+F- (OR 2.812, 95% CI 1.542-5.131), and E-F- (reference). Additionally, we performed logistic regression according to two categories. There was no significant difference in the association of depression between E+F- (reference) and E-F+ (OR 1.399, 95% CI 0.760-2.575). CONCLUSION: Although fatigue and excessive daytime sleepiness were associated with depression regardless of the presence of each other, we could not clarify which was more closely related to depression.

The association between social jetlag and depression is independent of sleep debt.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether the association between SJLsc (sleep-corrected social jetlag) and depressive mood is significant and independent of sleep debt. METHODS: Participants from the general adult population were interviewed using structured questionnaires on sleep duration, weekday/weekend sleep schedules, and depressive mood (Patient Health Questionnaire-9). Social jetlag (SJL) was measured by SJLsc and standard SJL (SJLs). SJLs was the absolute difference between mid-sleep time on free days (MSF) and workdays (MSW). For SJLsc, both MSF and MSW were adjusted for average sleep duration across the week according to the direction of sleep debt. Sleep debt was defined by sleep extension on free days. The association of SJL with depression was investigated, and covariates included age, sex, sociodemographic factors, insomnia symptoms, sleep duration, and sleep debt. RESULTS: A total of 1982 individuals (1089 men; age 43.1 ± 14.4 years) were analyzed. SJL was present in 24.6% measured by SJLsc and 51.0% by SJLs. SJLsc and SJLs were significantly associated with depressive mood (r = 0.06, P = 0.02; r = 0.06, P = 0.01, respectively), independent of sleep debt. Sleep debt was also associated with depression (r = 0.07, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: By adopting sleep-corrected formula for SJL, this study found that misaligned and insufficient sleep, at levels occurring in routine social life, can negatively affect mood. Minimizing social jetlag and sleep deprivation may promote individual psychological well-being.

Association between older subjective age and poor sleep quality: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of subjective age (SA) with sleep quality in an adult population. METHODS: In the Korean Sleep and Headache Study, 2,349 participants (49.2% men; 48.1 ± 16.4 years old) were interviewed face-to-face using structured questionnaires between September and December 2018. SA was assessed by asking participants their perceived age in years and then compared with their chronological age (CA). Participants were assigned to three groups: feeling younger, feeling their age, and feeling older. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Association between SA and sleep quality was analyzed with multiple linear regression controlling for demographics, psychosocial, and sleep characteristics. RESULTS: The group feeling older (n = 404, 17.2%; men, 58.2%; age, 46.5 ± 16.2 years) had worse sleep quality than the groups feeling younger and feeling their age (PSQI score, 4.3 ± 2.7, 3.8 ± 2.4, 3.4 ± 2.1, respectively, p <.001; prevalence of poor sleep quality, 29.0%, 18.4%, 13.5% respectively, p <.001). The association between SA and the PSQI score remained significant after adjusting for confounders (ß = 1.05, 95% confidence interval 0.26, 1.83; p <.001). Stratified analyses by sex and CA showed that the association between SA and the PSQI score was significant only in women and in middle-aged and older group (aged 50-79), suggesting that sex and CA modified the association. CONCLUSION: Age perception was associated with self-reported sleep quality, independent of CA. SA may be a useful marker that complements the conventional assessment of subjective sleep quality.

Visual Aura in Non-Migraine Headaches: A Population Study.

BACKGROUND: Visual aura (VA) occurs mostly in migraine with aura (MA), but some case studies have reported aura in non-migraine headaches. Thus, information of VA in non-migraine headaches is scarce. Aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and impact of VA in non-migraine headache and compare it with that of migraine headache. METHODS: This study was a nationwide population-based study. We used an internet-based headache diagnosis questionnaire to diagnose headache, and various modules to evaluate clinical features and comorbidities of participants with headache. We defined migraine headache as migraine and probable migraine (PM), whereas non-migraine headache was defined as a headache but not migraine or PM. VA was defined as a self-reporting VA rating scale score ≥ 3. RESULTS: Of the 3,030 participants, 1,431 (47.2%) and 507 (16.7%) had non-migraine headache and migraine headache, respectively. VA prevalence was much lower in the non-migraine headache group than in the migraine headache group (14.5% [207/1,431] vs. 26.0% [132/507], P < 0.001). In subjects with non-migraine headache, those with VA had a markedly higher number of headache days per 30 days (median [25th-75th percentiles]: 2.0 [1.0-5.0] vs. 2.0 [1.0-3.0], P < 0.001), and headache-related disability (6.0 [3.0-16.0] vs. 2.0 [0.0-7.0], P < 0.001) than those without VA. VA prevalence did not differ significantly according to age and sex. CONCLUSION: Non-migraine headache with VA patients had more severe symptoms than those without VA. These findings may improve the understanding of VA and the management of individuals with non-migraine headache.

Interictal plasma endothelin-1 levels do not change in individuals with episodic and chronic migraine.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with migraine present ictal elevation of endothelin-1 levels. Migraine can be subclassified into episodic migraine and chronic migraine. Apart from the inconsistent reports on interictal endothelin-1 levels, most studies did not distinguish between episodic migraine and chronic migraine. METHODS: We measured plasma endothelin-1 levels in participants with episodic migraine (n = 87), with chronic migraine (n = 88), and controls (n = 50). RESULTS: Interictal endothelin-1 levels were not significantly different among participants with episodic migraine, those with chronic migraine, and controls (pg/ml, median and interquartile range, 10.19 [7.76-13.69] vs. 9.25 [6.91-10.73] vs. 9.46 [7.00-14.19], p = 0.131). After excluding participants with fibromyalgia (n = 50) and medication-overuse headache (n = 21), endothelin-1 levels were still similar among groups (10.51 [7.96-14.10] vs. 9.24 [6.96-10.81] vs. 9.46 [7.00-14.19], p = 0.230). Endothelin-1 levels did not significantly differ among participants with migraine with aura, those with migraine without aura, and controls (9.36 [4.26-13.35] vs. 9.50 [7.23-13.02] vs. 9.46 [7.00-14.19], p = 0.975). There was no significant association of endothelin-1 with headache intensity (mild, 8.99 [8.99-8.99] vs. moderate, 8.71 [6.85-12.15] vs. severe, 9.55 [7.23-13.13], p = 0.517) or headache frequency per month (exponential and 95% confidence interval, 0.709 [0.296-1.698], p = 0.440) in participants with episodic migraine and chronic migraine. CONCLUSIONS: Interictal plasma endothelin-1 level is an unlikely marker for episodic migraine and chronic migraine.

Interim analysis of the Registry for Load and Management of Medication Overuse Headache (RELEASE): A multicenter, comprehensive medication overuse headache registry.

BACKGROUND: Characteristics, disabilities, and optimal management of medication overuse headache remain uncertain. This study aimed to elucidate the clinical characteristics of patients with medication overuse headache enrolled in a medication overuse headache registry in Korea. METHODS: The Registry for Load and Management of MEdicAtion OveruSE Headache (RELEASE), a cross-sectional prospective observational study including seven referral headache centers in Korea, started enrolling adult patients with medication overuse headache in April 2020. Data included information on headache characteristics, burden on daily function, depression, anxiety, history of acute and preventive medications, and treatment strategies. RESULTS: A total of 229 patients (85.6% females; mean age, 45.5 ± 13.5 years) were enrolled by June 2021. The average durations of chronic headaches and medication overuse were 6.5 and 4.3 years, respectively. In the past month before enrollment, patients had headaches for 25 days and severe headaches for 12 days, and used acute medications for 20 days. Patients were disabled in 66.8 days in the past 3 months and had moderate/severe depression and anxiety in 56% and 35%, respectively. The proportion of patients on preventive treatments increased from 38% to 93% during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: RELEASE study reflects the current management status and opportunities to improve the quality of care in patients with medication overuse headache.

Characteristics of pre-cluster symptoms in cluster headache: A cross-sectional multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: Contrary to pre-attack symptoms before an individual cluster headache attack, little is known about the pre-cluster symptoms before the onset of cluster bouts. We previously described pre-attack symptoms before cluster headache attacks. The aim of this study was to investigate characteristics of pre-cluster symptoms in patients with episodic cluster headache. METHODS: In this multicentre study, 184 patients with episodic cluster headache were recruited between October 2018 and December 2020. They were interviewed by investigators and completed a structured questionnaire. To investigate pre-cluster and pre-attack symptoms, we assessed 20 symptoms and signs using the questionnaire. RESULTS: The upcoming cluster bout was predictable in 35.3% (n = 65/184) of the patients. When present, pre-cluster symptoms occurred at a median duration of 7 days (interquartile range, 2.3-14 days) before the onset of the cluster bout. Patients with pre-cluster symptoms showed a higher proportion of women, prevalence of pre-attack symptoms and seasonal rhythmicity, frequency of cluster headache attacks per day, and total number of cluster bouts compared to patients without pre-cluster symptoms. In univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses, female sex was associated with the predictability of pre-cluster symptoms (odds ratio = 2.297, p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: The upcoming cluster bout was predicted in approximately 35% of patients with episodic cluster headache, which may allow for an earlier preventive treatment and help understand the pathophysiology.

Crystal-clear days and unclear days in migraine: A population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate crystal-clear days and unclear days in participants with migraine. BACKGROUND: Migraine affects individuals during the headache-free period. Therefore, headache-free days do not indicate migraine symptom-free days. Crystal-clear days can be characterized by days without headache and having minimal or no migraine symptoms. In contrast, days without headache, but with more than minimal migraine symptoms, can be defined as unclear days. METHODS: We used the baseline respondent data set of the Circannual Change in Headache and Sleep study, a nationwide population survey on headache and sleep. This study was a cross-sectional and case-control analysis of longitudinally collected data. The number of crystal-clear days per 30 days was assessed by asking "How many days have you had crystal-clear days without headache during the previous 30 days?". We defined headache-free, but not crystal-clear days, as unclear days. The number of unclear days per 30 days was calculated as follows: 30 - the number of headache days per 30 days - the number of crystal-clear days per 30 days. RESULTS: Of 170 participants with migraine, 165 (97.1%) had unclear days. The numbers of crystal-clear days (median [interquartile range] 20.0 [15.0-25.0] vs. 25.0 [20.0-29.0], p < 0.001) and unclears days (4.0 [0.0-8.0] vs. 1.0 [0.0-7.0], p < 0.001) per 30 days in participants with migraine were significantly lower and higher, respectively, than in those with non-migraine headache. Headache days (incident rate ratio and 95% confidence interval, 0.94 [0.90-0.97], p < 0.001) and weekly average sleep duration (0.95 [0.91-1.00], p = 0.035) were significant factors for crystal-clear days. CONCLUSIONS: The number of crystal-clear days were different from that of headache-free days. Almost all participants with migraine had unclear days. Our findings will facilitate understanding the symptoms and burden of migraine.