Evaluation of the relationship between migraine and psoriasis: a case-control study

Abstract Background Although several recent studies have attempted to describe the association between psoriasis and migraine, there is little data in this regard. Objective To explore the relationship between migraine and psoriasis. Methods A total of 312 patients with psoriasis and 312 age- and gender-matched controls without psoriasis were recruited in this case-control study. Based on the diagnosis of migraine, they were divided into 4 subgroups: psoriasis with (PM+) and without (PM-) migraine, and control with (CM+) and without migraine (CM-). The subgroups were compared regarding the migraine and psoriasis characteristics. Results The mean (SD) age of patients and controls (139 males, in each group) was 43.2 (13.2) years. Psoriasis patients were significantly more likely to have migraine (OR = 2.789). Migraine with aura was significantly higher in the PM + group than in the CM + group (p = 0.007). The mean PASI score (p = 0.001), frequency of moderate and severe psoriasis (p = 0.048), and frequency of patients with PsA (p < 0.001) were significantly higher in PM + compared to PM-. The risk of migraine substantially increased with increasing psoriasis severity (OR = 2.062, OR = 3.248, and OR = 4.586 for mild, moderate, and severe, respectively), and with the presence of PsA (OR = 2.438 and OR = 12.930 for patients without and with PsA, respectively). Study limitations Observational nature, not including all confounding factors, not addressing a cause-and-effect relationship. Conclusions In comparison with the non-psoriatic control group, psoriasis patients are predisposed to a significantly higher risk of migraine, particularly migraine with aura, psoriasis patients with more severe disease and those with PsA have a markedly higher risk of having migraine, and the migraine headache index is significantly higher in psoriasis patients.

Evaluation of the relationship between migraine and psoriasis: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Although several recent studies have attempted to describe the association between psoriasis and migraine, there is little data in this regard. OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between migraine and psoriasis. METHODS: A total of 312 patients with psoriasis and 312 age- and gender-matched controls without psoriasis were recruited in this case-control study. Based on the diagnosis of migraine, they were divided into 4 subgroups: psoriasis with (PM+) and without (PM-) migraine, and control with (CM+) and without migraine (CM-). The subgroups were compared regarding the migraine and psoriasis characteristics. RESULTS: The mean (SD) age of patients and controls (139 males, in each group) was 43.2 (13.2) years. Psoriasis patients were significantly more likely to have migraine (OR = 2.789). Migraine with aura was significantly higher in the PM + group than in the CM + group (p = 0.007). The mean PASI score (p = 0.001), frequency of moderate and severe psoriasis (p = 0.048), and frequency of patients with PsA (p < 0.001) were significantly higher in PM + compared to PM-. The risk of migraine substantially increased with increasing psoriasis severity (OR = 2.062, OR = 3.248, and OR = 4.586 for mild, moderate, and severe, respectively), and with the presence of PsA (OR = 2.438 and OR = 12.930 for patients without and with PsA, respectively). STUDY LIMITATIONS: Observational nature, not including all confounding factors, not addressing a cause-and-effect relationship. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with the non-psoriatic control group, psoriasis patients are predisposed to a significantly higher risk of migraine, particularly migraine with aura, psoriasis patients with more severe disease and those with PsA have a markedly higher risk of having migraine, and the migraine headache index is significantly higher in psoriasis patients.

Using Multiple Logistic Regression to Determine Factors Affecting Delaying Hospital Arrival of Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Background: Early treatment of ischemic stroke patients who arrive at the hospital ≤4.5 hours after the onset of symptoms with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator is more beneficial and very important. Objective: This study is aimed to investigate the factors delaying the hospital arrival of patients with acute ischemic stroke by using multiple logistic regression analysis. Methods and Materials: This descriptive cross-sectional study was done on patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke who were referred to Ardabil city Training and Research hospital at 2018. All patients and/or patient relatives were interviewed and data were collected through a checklist including demographic and clinical data of patients to explore the involved factors delaying hospital arrival of patients and then analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: Of all included patients, only 25.3% arrived at the hospital in ≤ 4.5 hours. By using multivariate logistic regression analysis, living in cities (P = 0.007), cigarette consumption (P = 0.032), having valvular heart disease (P = 0.008), and gender (P = 0.049) were factors associated with an early arrival to the hospital. Conclusions: Results showed that most of the patients had a considerable delay in arriving at the hospital in ≤ 4.5 hours. Thus, providing health promotion strategies to improve society awareness of early symptoms of stroke, training of local physicians about the importance of early arrival of stroke patients, and more extended ambulance services in all cities and rural areas are necessary for better management of acute stroke patients in this area.

The experiences of Iranian patients with epilepsy from their disease: A content analysis.

This qualitative study investigated experiences of patients with epilepsy in Iran regarding stigma. Twenty-two participants were chosen by purposive sampling method. After getting informed consent, we conducted and recorded interviews and then transcribed them verbatim. After that, all the researchers read the texts thoroughly, and the data were analyzed using conventional content analysis method. Seven categories emerged from the analysis including need for support, defense mechanisms, superstitious beliefs, negative feelings, negative reactions of others, imposed deprivations, and spirituality. These results will increase healthcare professionals' knowledge about the problems of Iranian patients with epilepsy and improve the design of healthcare models that can promote successful coping strategies for them.

Somatoform Dissociation, Fatigue Severity and Pain Behavior Compared in Patients with Migraine Headache and in Healthy Individuals.

The prevalence of migraine in the world is about 15 and 7% among women and men, respectively. The purpose of this study was comparison of somatoform dissociation, fatigue severity and pain behavior in patients with migraine headache and its relationship with coping strategies. This descriptive analytical study has been done on 120 patients with migraine headache and 120 healthy subjects were selected randomly. Data collected by somatoform dissociation questionnaire (SDQ-20), fatigue severity scale, pain behavior scale and coping strategies scale. For data analysis we used SPSS.19. The means of the somatoform dissociation, pain behavior scale, help searching subscale and pain compliant in migraine and healthy subjects were statistically significant. There was not significant difference in avoidance subscales between the two groups. Comparison of fatigue severity in patients with migraine and control group was meaningful. There was significant positive correlation between all four scales and coping strategies. It seems that these symptoms can play an important role in this disease; thus, their careful evaluation in the treatment of migraine headache is essential.

The Epidemiology of Hospital-Referred Head Injury in Ardabil City.

Background and Purpose. Trauma is the leading cause of death for youth in developing countries. Given the prevalence of head trauma (HT) in society and its complication and burden, the epidemiologic study of head trauma is necessary and is the main aim of this study. Materials and Methods. This retrospective population-based survey describes the epidemiology of head injury in a defined population in Ardabil city. It includes all 204 patients with head injury referred to the University Hospital of Ardabil, Iran, during 2013-2014. Data were collected by a checklist and analyzed by statistical methods in SPSS.19. Significance level p < 0.05 was considered. Results. Of all registered cases, 146 (71.6%) were male and the rest of them were female. Most of HT patients lived in Ardabil city (60.8%). The mean age of patients was 22.6 ± 25.9 and most of victims were young. 24.5% of traumatic patients have injuries in severe to critical level (grade 3-4). The most cause of trauma was accidents (41.7%). Most of injuries occurred in night (55.9%) and in summer season (42.2%). Causes were traffic accident in 41.7%. Conclusion. Results showed that the leading cause of head trauma especially in the warm seasons is accidents and so, designing programs to reduce road accidents can dramatically reduce the rate of trauma in the future in Ardabil province.