Neurological disorders in the Global Burden of Disease 2010 study.

BACKGROUND: The Global Burden of Disease study (GBD) is a large international initiative to collect and systematize data on disease burden expressed in non-economic terms, to allow comparisons across different disease conditions and countries. OBJECTIVES: To use data from the large GBD 2010 database to determine the importance of neurological disorders in Norway, and to compare it with global data on the same disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Relevant data were extracted from the Lancet publication from December 2012, and from the interactive website of the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation on GBD. RESULTS: Neurological disorders (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, migraine and tension-type headache, other neurological disorders) account for 5-6% of the disease burden in Norway, which is more than it does globally. When also stroke, low back pain and neck pain are included, 10% of the disease burden in Norway is represented by neurological disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Neurological disorders are of great public health importance. This knowledge is useful in dimensioning and organizing healthcare systems and necessary when planning education of health personnel on all levels.

Sleep quality and arousal in migraine and tension-type headache: the headache-sleep study.

OBJECTIVES: The present paper summarizes and compares data from our studies on subjective and objective sleep quality and pain thresholds in tension-type headache (TTH), migraine, and controls. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a blinded controlled explorative study, we recorded polysomnography (PSG) and pressure, heat, and cold pain thresholds in 34 controls, 20 TTH, and 53 migraine patients. Sleep quality was assessed by questionnaires, sleep diaries, and PSG. Migraineurs who had their recordings more than 2 days from an attack were classified as interictal while the rest were classified as either preictal or postictal. Interictal migraineurs (n=33) were also divided into two groups if their headache onsets mainly were during sleep and awakening (sleep migraine, SM), or during daytime and no regular onset pattern (non-sleep migraine, NSM). TTH patients were divided into a chronic or episodic group according to headache days per month. RESULTS: Compared to controls, all headache groups reported more anxiety and sleep-related symptoms. TTH and NSM patients reported more daytime tiredness and tended to have lower pain thresholds. Despite normal sleep times in diary, TTH and NSM had increased slow-wave sleep as seen after sleep deprivation. Migraineurs in the preictal phase had shorter latency to sleep onset than controls. Except for a slight but significantly increased awakening index SM, patients differed little from controls in objective measurements. CONCLUSIONS: We hypothesize that TTH and NSM patients on the average need more sleep than healthy controls. SM patients seem more susceptible to sleep disturbances. Inadequate rest might be an attack-precipitating- and hyperalgesia-inducing factor.

Sleep quality, arousal and pain thresholds in tension-type headache: a blinded controlled polysomnographic study.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to compare subjective and objective sleep quality in tension-type headache (TTH) patients and to evaluate the relationship between sleep quality and pain thresholds (PT) in controls and TTH patients. METHODS: A blinded cross-sectional study where polysomnography (PSG) and PT (to pressure, heat and cold) measurements were done in 20 patients with TTH (eight episodic (ETTH) and twelve chronic (CTTH) TTH) and 29 healthy controls. Sleep diaries and questionnaires were applied. RESULTS: TTH patients had more anxiety ( P = 0.001), insomnia ( P < 0.0005), daytime tiredness ( P < 0.0005) and reduced subjective sleep quality ( P < 0.0005) compared to healthy controls. Sleep diaries revealed more long awakenings in TTH ( P = 0.01) but no total sleep-time differences. TTH patients had more slow-wave sleep ( P = 0.002) and less fast arousals ( P = 0.004) in their PSGs. CTTH subjects had lower pressure PT ( P = 0.048) and more daytime sleepiness than the controls ( P = 0.039). Among TTH lower cold PT (CPT) correlated inversely with light sleep (N1) ( R = -0.49, P = 0.003) while slow arousals correlated inversely with headache-frequency ( R = -0.64, P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: We hypothesize that TTH patients need more sleep than healthy controls and might be relatively sleep deprived. Inadequate sleep may also contribute to increased pain sensitivity and headache frequency in TTH.

The Norwegian Brain Council ('Hjernerådet')--united efforts are necessary!

There is a strong tradition of neuroscience in Norway, and Norwegian neurologists have been actively involved in developing partnerships between all those who recognize the importance of the brain and of brain diseases. It was therefore unsurprising that Norwegian neurologists took the initiative in establishing the Norwegian Brain Council (NBC). NBC was founded in 2007 and now comprises 27 organizations and institutions. It includes all those who work with brain research and brain diseases in Norway, as well as all relevant user organizations. Industries and businesses that are related to brain disease may be partners, but do not have full membership. The main mission of NBC is to provide information about the brain and brain diseases for both lay people and public authorities, including politicians, and to promote better treatment for patients with brain diseases and more research in neuroscience. The council has firm ties to the European Brain Council (EBC). NBC plans to follow the initiative taken by EBC in organizing a 'Month of the Brain' in 2013 and a 'Year of the Brain' in 2014. These initiatives could provide an impetus for greater focus on brain diseases, which is essential in order to meet the considerable challenges that are posed by brain diseases in the years to come.

The bidirectional relationship between headache and chronic musculoskeletal complaints: an 11-year follow-up in the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Chronic daily headache (CDH) and chronic musculoskeletal complaints (CMSCs) are associated disorders, but whether there is a causal relationship between them is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether CMSCs are associated with the subsequent development of CDH and vice versa. METHODS: This longitudinal population-based cohort study used data from two consecutive surveys in the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT 2 and 3) performed in 1995-1997 and 2006-2008. Amongst the 51 383 participants aged ≥ 20 years at baseline, 41 766 were eligible approximately 11 years later. Of these, 26 197 (63%) completed the questions regarding headache and CMSCs in HUNT 3. RESULTS: A bidirectional relationship was found between headache and CMSCs. In the multivariate analyses adjusting for known potential confounders, a nearly two fold risk (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.5-2.3) for developing CDH was found for those with CMSCs at baseline. Vice versa, a similarly elevated risk of CMSCs (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.2-2.6), and even higher risk of chronic widespread MSCs (OR 2.7; 95% CI 1.6-4.7), was found at follow-up amongst those with CDH at baseline. CONCLUSION: CMSCs predispose to CDH and CDH predisposes to CMSCs 11 years later. This may have relevance to understanding the pathophysiology of these disorders. CMSCs should be treated not only to relieve them but also to prevent the development of CDH, and vice versa.

The cost of headache disorders in Europe: the Eurolight project.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Headache disorders are very common, but their monetary costs in Europe are unknown. We performed the first comprehensive estimation of how economic resources are lost to headache in Europe. METHODS: From November 2008 to August 2009, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in eight countries representing 55% of the adult EU population. Participation rates varied between 11% and 59%. In total, 8412 questionnaires contributed to this analysis. Using bottom-up methodology, we estimated direct (medications, outpatient health care, hospitalization and investigations) and indirect (work absenteeism and reduced productivity at work) annual per-person costs. Prevalence data, simultaneously collected and, for migraine, also derived from a systematic review, were used to impute national costs. RESULTS: Mean per-person annual costs were €1222 for migraine (95% CI 1055-1389; indirect costs 93%), €303 for tension-type headache (TTH, 95% CI 230-376; indirect costs 92%), €3561 for medication-overuse headache (MOH, 95% CI 2487-4635; indirect costs 92%), and €253 for other headaches (95% CI 99-407; indirect costs 82%). In the EU, the total annual cost of headache amongst adults aged 18-65 years was calculated, according to our prevalence estimates, at €173 billion, apportioned to migraine (€111 billion; 64%), TTH (€21 billion; 12%), MOH (€37 billion; 21%) and other headaches (€3 billion; 2%). Using the 15% systematic review prevalence of migraine, calculated costs were somewhat lower (migraine €50 billion, all headache €112 billion annually). CONCLUSIONS: Headache disorders are prominent health-related drivers of immense economic losses for the EU. This has immediate implications for healthcare policy. Health care for headache can be both improved and cost saving.

[Doubtful nosological validity of the chronic whiplash syndrome]. / Fragliche nosologische Validität des chronischen Halswirbelschleudertraumasyndroms.

BACKGROUND: Since the 1980s, victims of traffic accidents in western countries increasingly report chronic symptoms which they attribute to a whiplash injury of the cervical spine. In an extensive review article published in 1996, it was, however, concluded that this so-called chronic whiplash syndrome has little nosological validity. It was now investigated whether this conclusion could be upheld by the results of later published studies. METHODS: Extensive evaluation was carried out of all the whiplash literature listed in Pubmed since 1996 with the question whether research over the last 15 years has achieved a better validation of this syndrome. RESULTS: Of the over 1,600 publications about whiplash since 1996, no study could be identified which confirmed the nosological validity of the chronic whiplash syndrome. CONCLUSION: As a positive consequence of the results of this study, accident victims suffering whiplash can be informed about the very good prognosis after whiplash in a more trustworthy way. Many iatrogenic injuries can thus be avoided. The expert opinion after whiplash without radiologically documented and/or neurologically confirmed significant acute traumatic injury which can cause chronic symptoms, should generally not be in favor of insurance benefits. The authors propose that all of a set of minimal criteria should be fulfilled if in exceptional cases a probable relationship between the trauma and chronic symptoms can be assumed.

No increase in headache after previous intracranial infections: a historical cohort study (HUNT).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Despite the absence of robust scientific evidence, it is today generally accepted that the acute headache typical for intracranial infections can develop into permanent headache complaints. This widespread concept was explored in the first, large, longitudinal, population-based study. METHODS: Data on confirmed exposure to intracranial infections amongst all adult inhabitants in a geographical area during a 20-year period were assembled from hospital records. Surviving individuals were later invited to the third Nord-Trøndelag Health Survey (HUNT 3), where 39,690 (42%) of 94,194 invited inhabitants aged ≥20 years responded to a validated headache questionnaire. Using logistic regression, the 1-year prevalence of headache and its subtypes according to the diagnostic criteria of the International Headache Society was assessed and compared between those with and without previous confirmed intracranial infection. Age and sex were used as covariates. RESULTS: Overall, 43 participants were identified with earlier intracranial infection, whereof three had more than one infection: bacterial meningitis (n=19), lymphocytic meningitis (n=18), encephalitis (n=9), and brain abscess (n=1).The mean interval from infection to participation in HUNT 3 was 11.2 (range 1.5-19.7) years. There was no significant increase in the prevalence of headache (OR 1.10, 95% CI 0.58-2.07), its subtypes (migraine, or tension-type headache), or chronic daily headache (OR 1.85, 95% CI 0.45-7.68) amongst participants with previous intracranial infection compared with the surrounding population. CONCLUSIONS: This study challenges the existence of chronic post-bacterial meningitis headache and does not indicate the presence of other long-term headaches induced by intracranial infection.

The Eurolight project: the impact of primary headache disorders in Europe. Description of methods.

The Eurolight project is the first at European Union level to assess the impact of headache disorders, and also the first of its scale performed by collaboration between professional and lay organizations and individuals. Here are reported the methods developed for it. The project took the form of surveys, by structured questionnaire, conducted in ten countries of Europe which together represented 60% of the adult population of the European Union. In Lithuania, the survey was population-based. Elsewhere, truly population-based studies were impractical for reasons of cost, and various compromises were developed. Closest to being population-based were the surveys in Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain. In Austria, France and UK, samples were taken from health-care settings. In addition in the Netherlands, Spain and Ireland, samples were drawn from members of national headache patient organizations and their relatives. Independent double data-entry was performed prior to analysis. Returned questionnaires from 9,269 respondents showed a moderate female bias (58%); of respondents from patients' organizations (n = 992), 61% were female. Mean age of all respondents was 44 years; samples from patients' organizations were slightly older (mean 47 years). The different sampling methods worked with differing degrees of effectiveness, as evidenced by the responder-rates, which varied from 10.8 to 90.7%. In the more population-based surveys, responder-rates varied from 11.3 to 58.8%. We conclude that the methodology, although with differences born of necessity in the ten countries, was sound overall, and will provide robust data on the public ill-health that results from headache in Europe.

Partnership and cooperation is necessary to improve and expand neurology.

BACKGROUND: Brain disorders have a large impact on society, representing one third of the total burden of disease. Neurology is more than before divided into fields of highly specialized branches. OBJECTIVE: To assess the need for co-operation in neuromedicine to achieve optimal results for patient treatment, diagnosis and care. DISCUSSION: Co-operation regarding patients with disorders in the brain and nervous system should involve medical specialists, general practitioners, other professionals, patients and carers. Optimal co-operation represents both an institutional and personal challenge. The principle of joint action between several subspecialists should also have consequences for educational systems and requirements. Formalised co-operation is well established in medical research, and principles for good practice in neuroscience have relevance also for clinical medicine. How to organise the optimal treatment is therefore not only a challenge for neurologists, but also for the total health system within hospitals and in society. CONCLUSION: Open-handedness and a willingness to co-operate should be a hallmark for neurologists.

A randomized controlled trial on medication-overuse headache: outcome after 1 and 4 years.

BACKGROUND: Different opinions exist regarding the optimal treatment of patients with medication-overuse headache (MOH). Few studies have evaluated the long-term prognosis among these patients, and there are no standard measures of outcome in such studies. AIM: To summarize the 1- and 4-year outcome of patients with MOH previously included in a randomized follow-up study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty-one patients with MOH were randomly assigned to receive either preventive treatment from day 1 without detoxification, a standard out patient detoxification program without preventive treatment from day 1, or no specific treatment. Sixty patients still alive were invited to a 4-year follow-up, whereof 50 (83%) participated. RESULTS: Early introduction of preventive treatment effectively reduced headache days and in particular headache suffering both during the first months and at 12-month follow-up. At 4-year follow-up, 16 persons (32%) were considered as responders (i.e. ≥50% reduction in headache frequency from baseline), whereas 17 persons (34%) met the criteria for MOH. None of the baseline characteristics consistently influenced all five outcome measures. DISCUSSION: Early introduction of prophylactic medication was an effective way to reduce headache days during the first 3 months, and the notion that patients with MOH need withdrawal of analgesics to respond to preventive medication seems to be incorrect. The long-term prognosis during the 4-year follow-up was relatively favorable as there was a steady decline in headache, one-third of the patients with MOH having ≥50% reduction in headache frequency from baseline and two-thirds being without medication overuse.

Botulinum toxin treatment of secondary headaches and cranial neuralgias: a review of evidence.

BACKGROUND: Recent scientific data support an effect of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) on pain and headache. OBJECTIVE: We sought to conduct a systematic review of BoNT in the secondary headaches and cranial neuralgias. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, ClinicalTrials.gov and reference lists were searched up to December 2010 to identify all relevant publications. RESULTS: Only two papers were rated as highest evidence (Level 1). The absolute majority (30/38, 79%) of identified publications yield only low evidence (Level 4). DISCUSSION: No treatment recommendations of Grade A or Grade B can be made based on available research. Grade C treatment recommendations in support of BoNT can be made for chronic headache attributed to whiplash injury, cephalalgic alopecia areata, headache and facial pain in blepharospasm, trigeminal neuralgia, occipital neuralgia and nummular headache. As a result of studies being troublingly inconsistent or inconclusive, only the weakest rank of recommendations (Grade D) can be made for using BoNT in medication overuse headache, cervicogenic headache, headache attributed to craniocervical dystonia, pain in masticatory hyperactivity and headache or facial pain attributed to temporomandibular disorder. CONCLUSION: At present, BoNT cannot be firmly recommended as an evidence-based treatment in secondary headaches or cranial neuralgias.

What initiates a migraine attack? Conclusions from four longitudinal studies of quantitative EEG and steady-state visual-evoked potentials in migraineurs.

OBJECTIVES: Quantitative electroencephalograpic (QEEG) frequency spectra and steady-state visual-evoked potentials (SSVEP) are indicators of corticothalamic excitability (e.g., arousal). Increased interictal excitability is suggested to be an important element in the migraine pathophysiology. In this paper, we summarize our results from four studies of QEEG and SSVEP recordings in migraineurs interictally and in the days before an attack with the intention to shed light on attack-initiating mechanisms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-two healthy controls, 33 migraineurs without and eight with aura each had three EEGs with photic stimulation on different days. Using the patient headache diaries, we classified the recordings as interictal, preictal, ictal, or post-ictal retrospectively. Interictal recordings were compared pairwise with attack-related EEGs from the same patient as well as with control EEGs. We also correlated clinical variables with the QEEG and SSVEP data. RESULTS: Between attacks, we found increased relative theta activity and attenuated medium-frequency photic responses in migraineurs without aura compared with those in controls. Within 36 h before the attack, slow and asymmetric EEG activity developed. Increased trigger sensitivity and photophobia correlated with higher theta power and depressed photic responses. Attack duration, migraine history duration, and pain intensity were associated with EEG slowing. CONCLUSIONS: A general tendency toward EEG slowing and depression of photic responses characterized the migraine group. This pattern was also related to increased severity of symptoms. A change in cortical activity occurred within 36 h before attacks. Our results indicate that thalamocortical hypoexcitability is associated with attack initiation and sensory hypersensitivity in migraine.

Increased headache prevalence in female adolescents and adult women with early menarche. The Head-HUNT Studies.

BACKGROUND: Age at menarche is associated with cardiovascular events and lifestyle factors such as body mass index (BMI), certain women's diseases like breast cancer and endometriosis and with occurrence of certain physical symptoms during puberty. It is unclear whether age at menarche is an independent determinant of headache. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to explore age of menarche in relation to headache prevalence in a large population-based study of both adolescents and adult women (HUNT). METHODS: In the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study in Norway 1995-97 (HUNT 2), a total of 26,636 (57%) of 46,506 invited women responded to questions regarding menarche and headache (Head-HUNT). In the youth part of HUNT 2, 3196 female students were interviewed about their headache complaints and 2766 (87%) responded to questions regarding menarche. All the final analyses were adjusted for age, use of oral contraceptives and BMI, and for adults also for educational level. RESULTS: Headache was more prevalent amongst females with menarche ≤ 12 years, both amongst adolescents (OR=1.3, 95% CI=1.1-1.5) and adults (OR=1.1, 95% CI=1.1-1.2), evident for migraine and non-migrainous headache. CONCLUSION: Headache, both migraine and non-migrainous headache, was more prevalent amongst both adolescents and adult females with early menarche. Early menarche may increase headache susceptibility, or be a consequence of a common pathogenetic factor, e.g., sensitivity to estrogens.

Headache, migraine and cardiovascular risk factors: the HUNT study.

BACKGROUND: Migraine with aura (MA) has been found to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease including ischaemic stroke and myocardial infarction. Studies have also reported a higher prevalence of unfavourable cardiovascular risk factors amongst migraineurs, but results have been conflicting as to whether this is restricted to MA or also holds true for migraine without aura (MO). This study aims to examine the relation between headache and cardiovascular risk factors in a large cross-sectional population-based study. METHODS: A total of 48,713 subjects (age ≥ 20 years) completed a headache questionnaire and were classified according to the headache status in the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study in Norway 1995-1997 (HUNT 2). Framingham 10-year risk for myocardial infarction and coronary death could be calculated for 44,098 (90.5%) of these. Parameters measured were blood pressure, body mass index, serum total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. RESULTS: Compared to controls, Framingham risk score was elevated in non-migraine headache sufferers (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.10-1.26), migraineurs without aura (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.04-1.32) and most pronounced amongst migraineurs with aura (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.21-1.95). Framingham risk score consistently increased with headache frequency. For non-migrainous headache and MO, the increased risk was accounted for by the lifestyle factors smoking, high BMI and low physical activity, whilst such factors did not explain the elevated risk associated with MA. CONCLUSIONS: Both MA, MO and non-migrainous headache are associated with an unfavourable cardiovascular risk profile, but different mechanisms seem to underlie the elevated risk in MA than in the other headache types.

An unfavorable lifestyle and recurrent headaches among adolescents: the HUNT study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between recurrent headache disorders (i.e., migraine and tension-type headache) and lifestyle factors (overweight, low physical activity, and smoking) in an unselected population study among adolescents. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study from Norway, a total of 5,847 students were interviewed about headache complaints and completed a comprehensive questionnaire including items concerning physical activity and smoking. In addition, they underwent a clinical examination with height and weight measurements. Adolescents with high physical activity who were not current smokers and not overweight were classified as having a good lifestyle status. These students were compared to those with 1 or more of the negative lifestyle factors present in regard to headache diagnosis and headache frequency. RESULTS: In adjusted multivariate analyses, recurrent headache was associated with overweight (odds ratio [OR] = 1.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-1.6, p < 0.0001), low physical activity (OR = 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.4, p = 0.002), and smoking (OR = 1.5, 95% CI 1.3-1.7, p < 0.0001). The prevalence of OR increased with more than 1 negative lifestyle factor present, evident for headache diagnoses and frequency. CONCLUSION: The results from the present study show that overweight, smoking, or low physical activity are independently and in combination associated with recurrent headache among adolescents. The associations observed and the additive effect of these negative lifestyle factors on the prevalence of recurrent headache indicates possible targets for preventive measures.

Cost of disorders of the brain in Norway.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the cost of neurological disorders in Norway. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the cost of disorders of the brain, including the main psychiatric, neurological and neurosurgical conditions in Norway. METHODS: Most of the data are extrapolations from a large European cost study that collected the best available epidemiological and health economical evidence for the year 2004. Some epidemiological data are available from Norway, but very little on costs. RESULTS: Brain disorders seemed to affect 1.5 million Norwegians in 2004, and the total cost amounted to 5.8 billion Euros. The most prevalent disorders are anxiety disorders and migraine, and the most costly are affective disorders, addiction and dementia. Migraine is the most costly of the purely neurological conditions, followed by stroke, epilepsy and Parkinson's disease. The indirect costs account for more than half of the total costs. DISCUSSION: Although the different brain disorders are very dissimilar in appearance, from health economic and public health perspectives, it is relevant to view them as a whole, since many of them share important pathophysiological mechanisms. This means that new insights into one disorder can have relevance for many other disorders. CONCLUSION: As a result of the high impact on individuals and society, more resources should be allocated to treatment and research into brain disorders.