Evaluation of a Polyherbal Formulation on the Management of Migraine Headaches due to Functional Dyspepsia: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

A holistic concept based on traditional Persian medicine (TPM) describes a headache with a gastrointestinal (GI) origin (gastric-headache). Although the neurological manifestations of this headache are similar to those of other headaches, its etiology is different. Considering its simultaneous effects on the brain and GI system, a formulation was designed based on this concept. This study aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of the designed formulation on migraine headache (MH) associated with functional dyspepsia (FD). A total of 75 diagnosed cases of MH patients with concurrent FD were randomly divided equally into 3 groups: (i) the polyherbal formulation, sodium valproate (VPA), and amitriptyline group, (ii) VPA, amitriptyline, and polyherbal formulation placebo group, and (iii) the polyherbal formulation and VPA placebo group. The primary outcomes, including frequency, duration, and severity of MH attacks, were measured at baseline and weeks 4, 8, and 12. However, secondary outcomes, including the Headache Impact Test 6 (HIT-6) Questionnaire and Parkman's score, were evaluated at baseline and end of treatment. The frequency, duration, and severity of migraine (P < 0.001 for all cases), HIT-6 (P < 0.001 for all cases), and FD (P < 0.001 for all cases) scores at the end of treatment showed a significant decrease in the 3 groups compared to the baseline. However, the differences in those variables between the 3 groups were not significant at the end of the study. The polyherbal formulation alone may improve the symptoms of migraine patients and other groups. This effect could be due to improving digestion and FD in migraine patients.

Helicobacter pylori eradication in renal recipient: triple or quadruple therapy?

Although triple (omeprazole, amoxicillin, and metronidazole) and quadruple (omeprazole, tetracycline, metronidazole, and bismuth subcitrate) therapeutic regimens for H. pylori eradication has been studied much in the general population, there is a lack of data in renal transplanted patients. So, this study aimed at comparing regimens in these patients who were considered being immunocompromised. The present clinical trial was carried out in Mashhad, Iran in 2010. Fifty-five patients who had received a kidney transplant in six months or earlier and referred for chronic dyspepsia were selected. They were resistant to H2-receptor antagonists or proton pump inhibitors therapy and had positive Rapid Urea Test. They randomly divided into two groups: triple and quadruple therapy. The treatment duration in both groups was similar (antibiotics for two weeks plus omeprazole for 4 weeks). Urea Breath Test (UBT) was performed two weeks after treatment for assessment of its result. Total numbers of 39 patients (71%) were positive for H. Pylori which were divided into triple therapy group (21 patients) and quadruple therapy (18 patients). Overall, the treatment was successful in 80% (71% in triple therapy and 89% in quadruple one) which was not different significantly between the groups (p=0.247). The result of this study revealed that the prevalence of H. pylori infection in renal transplant patients is similar to the normal population. In these cases, triple and quadruple therapies were similar in eradication of H. pylori. So, triple therapy can be recommended in renal transplant recipients.