Diagnostic workup of acute headache and subarachnoid hemorrhage in a Norwegian population: An observational study.

BACKGROUND: Acute headache may be the primary symptom of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Recent guidelines suggest that non-contrast computed tomography (CT) is adequate to exclude aneurysmal SAH if performed within 6 h after symptom onset. However, most studies of acute headache including CT, lumbar puncture and SAH are multicenter studies from referral hospitals with highly selected patient populations. The main purpose of this study was to describe the diagnostic properties of head CT and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) spectrophotometry for detecting SAH in an unselected primary hospital population with acute headache. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study conducted at a large primary hospital serving roughly 10% of the Norwegian population. Diagnostic workup from consecutive patients evaluated for acute headache in 2009-2020 were collected. All CSF-spectrophotometry reports were standardized and the same CT scanner was used during the study. RESULTS: A total of 3227 patients were included. Median age was 45 years and 63% were women. In total, 170 (5.3% of all acute headache patients) had SAH. Of 3071 CT-negative patients, 2852 (93%) underwent lumbar puncture. Of the CSF reports, 2796 (98%) were negative for xanthochromia. Overall, the rate for detection of aneurysmal SAH by positive xanthochromia was 9 in 2852 cases (3‰). The miss rate for the detection of an aneurysmal SAH with a CT scan within 6 h was 0 and within 12 h 1 in 2852 cases (0.3‰). CONCLUSION: In acute headache, a CT scan taken within 6 h is practically 100% sensitive for detecting any SAH.

Menstrual migraine: a distinct disorder needing greater recognition.

The term menstrual migraine refers to migraine that is associated with menstruation by more than chance, but it does not define pathophysiology. Menstrual migraine affects about 20-25% of female migraineurs in the general population, and 22-70% of patients presenting to headache clinics. In women diagnosed with menstrual migraine, perimenstrual migraine attacks are associated with substantially greater disability than their non-menstrual attacks. Loose interpretation of diagnostic criteria has led to conflicting results in studies on prevalence figures, clinical characteristics, and response to treatment. Importantly, clinical trials often do not distinguish between perimenstrual attacks in women diagnosed with menstrual migraine and attacks associated with menstruation by chance. Two pathophysiological mechanisms have been identified: oestrogen withdrawal and prostaglandin release. Although management strategies targeting these mechanisms might be effective, the evidence is not robust. Given how common and debilitating this distinct condition is, more research investment is needed to expand understanding of its pathophysiology and to develop more effective treatment strategies.

Incidence and Mortality of Cerebral Venous Thrombosis in a Norwegian Population.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There are conflicting figures of the incidence of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). The incidence was previously estimated to around 0.5/100 000/y, but more recent studies have suggested 1 to 1.5/100 000/y. The purpose of this study was to explore the incidence and mortality of CVT in a Norwegian population. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional hospital population-based study conducted at Akershus University Hospital serving roughly 10% of the total Norwegian population. Patients were identified through chart reviews based on the relevant International Classification of Diseases(Tenth Revision) codes for new CVT cases in a 7-year period between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2017. Only inhabitants living in the hospital's catchment area were included. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients aged 0 to 80 years were identified and included. The median age was 46 years and 53% were females. The overall incidence of CVT was 1.75 (95% CI, 1.36-2.23) per 100 000/y with no significant sex differences. The incidence for children and adolescents (<18 years, n=9) was lower than for adults (≥18 years, n=53); 1.08 (0.52-1.97) versus 1.96 (1.49-2.55) per 100 000/y per year, with the highest incidence for those >50 years with 2.10 (1.38-3.07)/100 000/y. Headache was the most prevalent symptom, reported in 83%, followed by nausea, motor deficits, and seizures observed in 45%, 32%, and 32% of the patients. Transverse sinuses and the jugular vein were the most frequent sites of thrombosis. In most patients (61%), thrombosis occurred in multiple sinuses/veins. Risk factors were found in 73% of the patients, and most of the patients had a combination of 2 or more risk factors. The 30-day and 1-year mortality rates were 3% and 6%. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of CVT in this population was higher than previously reported. The mortality rate was similar to previous studies.

A Markov chain method for counting and modelling migraine attacks.

To ensure reproducibility in research quantifying episodic migraine attacks, and identifying attack onset, a sound theoretical model of a migraine attack, paired with a uniform standard for counting them, is necessary. Many studies report on migraine frequencies-e.g. the fraction of migraine-days of the observed days-without paying attention to the number of discrete attacks. Furthermore, patients' diaries frequently contain single, migraine-free days between migraine-days, and we argue here that such 'migraine-locked days' should routinely be interpreted as part of a single attack. We tested a simple Markov model of migraine attacks on headache diary data and estimated transition probabilities by mapping each day of each diary to a unique Markov state. We explored the validity of imputing migraine days on migraine-locked entries, and estimated the effect of imputation on observed migraine frequencies. Diaries from our patients demonstrated significant clustering of migraine days. The proposed Markov chain model was shown to approximate the progression of observed migraine attacks satisfactorily, and imputing on migraine-locked days was consistent with the conceptual model for the progression of migraine attacks. Hence, we provide an easy method for quantifying the number and duration of migraine attacks, enabling researchers to procure data of high inter-study validity.

Identifying menstrual migraine- improving the diagnostic criteria using a statistical method.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a robust statistical tool for the diagnosis of menstrually related migraine. BACKGROUND: The International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD) has diagnostic criteria for menstrual migraine within the appendix. These include the requirement for menstrual attacks to occur within a 5-day window in at least [Formula: see text] menstrual cycles ([Formula: see text]-criterion). While this criterion has been shown to be sensitive, it is not specific. Yet in some circumstances, for example to establish the underlying pathophysiology of menstrual attacks, specificity is also important, to ensure that only women in whom the relationship between migraine and menstruation is more than a chance occurrence are recruited. METHODS: Using a simple mathematical model, a Markov chain, to model migraine attacks we developed a statistical criterion to diagnose menstrual migraine (sMM). We then analysed a data set of migraine diaries using both the [Formula: see text]-criterion and the sMM. RESULTS: sMM was superior to the [Formula: see text]-criterion for varying numbers of menstrual cycles and increased in accuracy with more cycle data. In contrast, the [Formula: see text]-criterion showed maximum sensitivity only for three cycles, although specificity increased with more cycle data. CONCLUSIONS: While the ICHD [Formula: see text]-criterion is a simple screening tool for menstrual migraine, the sMM provides a more specific diagnosis and can be applied irrespective of the number of menstrual cycles recorded. It is particularly useful for clinical trials of menstrual migraine where a chance association between migraine and menstruation must be excluded.

Symptoms of premenstrual syndrome in female migraineurs with and without menstrual migraine.

BACKGROUND: Menstrual migraine (MM) and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) are two conditions linked to specific phases of the menstrual cycle. The exact pathophysiological mechanisms are not fully understood, but both conditions are hypothesized to be triggered by female sex hormones. Co-occurrence of MM and PMS is controversial. The objective of this population-based study was to compare self-assessed symptoms of PMS in female migraineurs with and without MM. A total of 237 women from the general population who self-reported migraine in at least50% of their menstruations in a screening questionnaire were invited to a clinical interview and diagnosed by a neurologist according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders II (ICHD II), including the appendix criteria for MM. All women were asked to complete a self-administered form containing 11 questions about PMS-symptoms adapted from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The number of PMS symptoms was compared among migraineurs with and without MM. In addition, each participant completed the Headache Impact test (HIT-6) and Migraine Disability Assessment Score (MIDAS). FINDINGS: A total of 193 women returned a complete PMS questionnaire, of which 67 women were excluded from the analyses due to current use of hormonal contraception (n = 61) or because they did not fulfil the ICHD-criteria for migraine (n = 6). Among the remaining 126 migraineurs, 78 had MM and 48 non-menstrually related migraine. PMS symptoms were equally frequent in migraineurs with and without MM (5.4 vs. 5.9, p = 0.84). Women with MM reported more migraine days/month, longer lasting migraine attacks and higher HIT-6 scores than those without MM, but MIDAS scores were similar. CONCLUSION: We did not find any difference in number of self-reported PMS-symptoms between migraineurs with and without MM.

Effect of exogenous estrogens and progestogens on the course of migraine during reproductive age: a consensus statement by the European Headache Federation (EHF) and the European Society of Contraception and Reproductive Health (ESCRH).

We systematically reviewed data about the effect of exogenous estrogens and progestogens on the course of migraine during reproductive age. Thereafter a consensus procedure among international experts was undertaken to develop statements to support clinical decision making, in terms of possible effects on migraine course of exogenous estrogens and progestogens and on possible treatment of headache associated with the use or with the withdrawal of hormones. Overall, quality of current evidence is low. Recommendations are provided for all the compounds with available evidence including the conventional 21/7 combined hormonal contraception, the desogestrel only oral pill, combined oral contraceptives with shortened pill-free interval, combined oral contraceptives with estradiol supplementation during the pill-free interval, extended regimen of combined hormonal contraceptive with pill or patch, combined hormonal contraceptive vaginal ring, transdermal estradiol supplementation with gel, transdermal estradiol supplementation with patch, subcutaneous estrogen implant with cyclical oral progestogen. As the quality of available data is poor, further research is needed on this topic to improve the knowledge about the use of estrogens and progestogens in women with migraine. There is a need for better management of headaches related to the use of hormones or their withdrawal.

Sex differences in the epidemiology, clinical features, and pathophysiology of migraine.

Migraine is two to three times more prevalent in women than men, and women report a longer attack duration, increased risk of headache recurrence, greater disability, and a longer period of time required to recover. Conditions recognised to be comorbid with migraine include asthma, anxiety, depression, and other chronic pain conditions, and these comorbidities add to the amount of disability in both sexes. Migraine-specifically migraine with aura-has been identified as a risk factor for vascular disorders, particularly in women, but because of the scarcity of data, the comparative risk in men has yet to be established. There is evidence implicating the role of female sex hormones as a major factor in determining migraine risk and characteristics, which accounts for sex differences, but there is also evidence to support underlying genetic variance. Although migraine is often recognised in women, it is underdiagnosed in men, resulting in suboptimal management and less participation of men in clinical trials.

Brief intervention by general practitioners for medication-overuse headache, follow-up after 6 months: a pragmatic cluster-randomised controlled trial.

UNLABELLED: Medication-overuse headache (MOH) is a common health problem. Withdrawal of the overused medication is the treatment of choice. We investigated the long-term effectiveness of brief intervention (BI) for MOH patients in primary care. The BI for MOH in primary care study was a blinded, pragmatic, cluster-randomised controlled trial. 25,486 patients (age 18-50) from 50 general practitioners (GPs) were screened for MOH. GPs defined clusters and 23 GPs were randomised to receive BI training and 27 GPs to continue business as usual (BAU). The GPs assessed their MOH patients with the Severity of Dependence Scale, gave individual feedback about the risk of MOH and advice to reduce headache medication. Primary outcomes, assessed 6 months after the intervention, were reduction in headache and medication days/month. 42% were screening responders. 2.4% had self-reported MOH. A random selection of 104 patients with self-reported MOH were invited, 75 were randomised out of which 60 with a physician-defined MOH diagnosis were included. None were lost to follow-up. BI was significantly better than BAU regarding primary outcomes (p < 0.001-0.018). Headache and medication days were reduced by 5.9 (95% CI 1.1-10.8) and 6.2 (1.1-11.3) more days/month in BI than BAU group. Chronic headache resolved in 63 and 11% in the BI and the BAU group (p < 0.001). Headache-related disability was lower among those who detoxified. In conclusion, BI is an effective treatment in primary care with lasting effect 6 months after the intervention for MOH. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01314768.

Menstrual versus non-menstrual attacks of migraine without aura in women with and without menstrual migraine.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this article is to compare clinical characteristics of menstrual and non-menstrual attacks of migraine without aura (MO), prospectively recorded in a headache diary, by women with and without a diagnosis of menstrual migraine without aura (MM) according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 237 women from the general population with self-reported migraine in ≥50% of their menstrual periods were interviewed and classified by a physician according to the criteria of the ICHD II. Subsequently, all participants were instructed to complete a prospective headache diary for at least three menstrual cycles. Clinical characteristics of menstrual and non-menstrual attacks of MO were compared by a regression model for repeated measurements. RESULTS: In total, 123 (52%) women completed the diary. In the 56 women who were prospectively diagnosed with MM by diary, the menstrual MO-attacks were longer (on average 10.65 hours, 99% CI 3.17-18.12) and more frequently accompanied by severe nausea (OR 2.14, 99% CI 1.20-3.84) than non-menstrual MO-attacks. No significant differences between menstrual and non-menstrual MO-attacks were found among women with MO, but no MM. CONCLUSION: In women from the general population, menstrual MO-attacks differ from non-menstrual attacks only in women who fulfil the ICHD criteria for MM.

Brief intervention for medication-overuse headache in primary care. The BIMOH study: a double-blind pragmatic cluster randomised parallel controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Medication-overuse headache (MOH) is common in the general population. We investigated effectiveness of brief intervention (BI) for achieving drug withdrawal in primary care patients with MOH. METHODS: The study was double-blind, pragmatic and cluster-randomised controlled. A total of 25,486 patients (age 18-50) from 50 general practitioners (GPs) were screened for MOH. GPs defined clusters and were randomised to receive BI training (23 GPs) or to continue business as usual (BAU; 27 GPs). The Severity of Dependence Scale was applied as a part of the BI. BI involved feedback about individual risk of MOH and how to reduce overuse. Primary outcome measures were reduction in medication and headache days/month 3 months after the intervention and were assessed by a blinded clinical investigator. RESULTS: 42% responded to the postal screening questionnaire, and 2.4% screened positive for MOH. A random selection of up to three patients with MOH from each GP were invited (104 patients), 75 patients were randomised and 60 patients included into the study. BI was significantly better than BAU for the primary outcomes (p<0.001). Headache and medication days were reduced by 7.3 and 7.9 (95% CI 3.2 to 11.3 and 3.2 to 12.5) days/month in the BI compared with the BAU group. Chronic headache resolved in 50% of the BI and 6% of the BAU group. CONCLUSIONS: The BI method provides GPs with a simple and effective instrument that reduces medication-overuse and headache frequency in patients with MOH. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01314768.

Contraceptive-induced amenorrhoea leads to reduced migraine frequency in women with menstrual migraine without aura.

BACKGROUND: Menstrual migraine without aura (MM) affects approximately 20% of female migraineurs in the general population. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of contraception on the attacks of migraine without aura (MO) in women with MM. FINDINGS: 141 women from the general population with a history of MM according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders II (ICHD II) were interviewed by a headache specialist. Of 49 women with a history of MM currently using hormonal contraception, 23 reported amenorrhoea. Significantly more women with amenorrhoea reported no MO- days during the preceding month compared to women without amenorrhoea (OR 16.1; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.8-140.4; P = 0.003). A reduction of MO-frequency was more often reported in women with than without amenorrhoea (OR 3.5; 95% CI 1.1-11.4; P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Amenorrhoea leads to a reduction of MO-frequency in women with MM using hormonal contraceptives. Future prospective studies on MM should focus on contraceptive methods that achieve amenorrhoea.

Are menstrual and nonmenstrual migraine attacks different?

Migraine is the second most common headache condition next to tension-type headache. Up to one fourth of all women have migraine, and 20% of them experience migraine without aura attack in at least two thirds of their menstrual cycles. The current literature is analyzed in response to the question of whether menstrual and nonmenstrual migraine attacks are different. The different studies provide conflicting results, so it is not possible to answer the question firmly. Future studies should be based on the general population. Collection of both prospective and retrospective data is warranted, and headache diagnosis base on interviews by physicians with interest in headache are more precise than lay interviews or questionnaires.

Self-reported menstrual migraine in the general population.

A number of women with migraine experience increased incidence of attacks during the perimenstrual period. The Appendix of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD II) describes two types of migraine without aura related to menstruation: pure menstrual migraine (PMM) and menstrually related migraine (MRM). The phrase "menstrual migraine" is often used to cover both PMM and MRM. Although menstrual migraine is well recognized, further scientific evidence is needed before these definitions can be formally included in the ICHD III. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of PMM and MRM in the general population in Norway. The survey included 15,000 women, 30-44 years old, residing in the eastern part of Norway. They received a postal questionnaire containing six questions about migraine, headache frequency and the relation of migraine and menstruation. The study included 11,123 women. The questionnaire response rate was 77%. The prevalence of self-reported migraine was 34.8%. Of the migraineurs, 21% reported migraine related to menstruation in at least two of three menstrual cycles, of which 7.7% were considered to have PMM and 13.2% MRM. This corresponds to the prevalence of PMM and MRM in the general population of 2.7 and 4.6%, respectively. Thus, self-reported menstrual migraine among women aged 30-44 years appears to be common in the general population in Norway.

[Menstrual migraine]. / Menstruell migrene.

BACKGROUND: Migraine is twice as prevalent in women than men. Changing levels of estrogen appear to trigger menstrual migraine. This article reviews clinical characteristics, pathophysiology and treatment of menstrual migraine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This review is based on literature retrieved from a non-systematic search of PubMed (up to January 2008) with the search terms "menstrual migraine" and "menstrual migraine and treatment". RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION: Pure menstrual migraine without aura is probably a distinct type of migraine caused by a fall in estrogen levels before the onset of menstruation. Women with menstrual migraine can receive prophylactic treatment in the perimenstrual period. There is no evidence that hormonal prophylaxis is more effective than non-hormonal. Because of an increased risk of thromboembolic events, hormonal treatment should only be given to women who have failed to respond to other treatment or to those who need hormonal treatment due to comorbidity.