Why does ingestion of watermelon trigger headache attacks in patients with migraine? / Por que a ingestão de melancia desencadeia crises de dor de cabeça em pacientes com enxaqueca?

Several triggers can trigger a migraine attack, including food. By the way, food only triggers headache in migraine sufferers. The foods that most trigger headache attacks are these: cheese, chocolate, citrus fruits and some sweet fruits, such as watermelon.

Vários gatilhos podem desencadear uma crise de enxaqueca, incluindo alimentos. Aliás, a comida só provoca dor de cabeça em quem sofre de enxaqueca. Os alimentos que mais desencadeiam as crises de dor de cabeça são estes: queijo, chocolate, frutas cítricas e algumas frutas doces, como a melancia.

Classifying migraine subtypes and their characteristics by latent class analysis using data of a nation-wide population-based study.

Migraine neither presents with a definitive single symptom nor has a distinct biomarker; thus, its diagnosis is based on combinations of typical symptoms. We aimed to identify natural subgroups of migraine based on symptoms listed in the diagnostic criteria of the third edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders. Latent class analysis (LCA) was applied to the data of the Korean Sleep-Headache Study, a nationwide population-based survey. We selected a three-class model based on Akaike and Bayesian information criteria and characterized the three identified classes as "mild and low frequency," "photophobia and phonophobia," and "severe and high frequency." In total, 52.0% (65/125) of the participants were classified as "mild and low frequency," showing the highest frequency of mild headache intensity but the lowest overall headache frequency. Meanwhile, "photophobia and phonophobia" involved 33.6% (42/125) of the participants, who showed the highest frequency of photophobia and phonophobia. Finally, "severe and high frequency" included 14.4% (18/125) of the participants, and they presented the highest frequency of severe headache intensity and highest headache frequency. In conclusion, LCA is useful for analyzing the heterogeneity of migraine symptoms and identifying migraine subtypes. This approach may improve our understanding of the clinical characterization of migraine.

Chronic versus episodic migraine: The 15-day threshold does not adequately reflect substantial differences in disability across the full spectrum of headache frequency.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the 15-day threshold of headache days per month adequately reflects substantial differences in disability across the full spectrum of migraine. BACKGROUND: The monthly frequency of headache days defines migraine subtypes and has crucial implications for epidemiological and clinical research as well as access to care. METHODS: The patients with migraine (N = 836) who participated in the American Registry for Migraine Research, which is a multicenter, longitudinal patient registry, between February 2016 and March 2020, were divided into four groups based on monthly headache frequency: Group 1 (0-7 headache days/month, n = 286), Group 2 (8-14 headache days/month, n = 180), Group 3 (15-23 headache days/month, n = 153), Group 4 (≥24 headache days/month, n = 217). Disability (MIDAS), Pain intensity (NRS), Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI), Pain Interference (PROMIS-PI), Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4), and General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scores were compared. RESULTS: Mean (standard deviation [SD]) age was 46 (13) years (87.9% [735/836] female). The proportion of patients in each group was as follows: Group 1 (34.2% [286/836]), Group 2 (21.5% [180/836]), Group 3 (18.3% [153/836]), and Group 4 (26.0% [217/836]). There were significant relationships with increasing disability, lost productive time, and pain interference in higher headache frequency categories. There were no significant differences between Group 2 and Group 3 for most measures (NRS, all WPAI scores, PROMIS-PI, GAD-7, and PHQ-4), although MIDAS scores differed (median [interquartile range (IQR)]; 38 [20-58] vs. 55 [30-90], p < 0.001). Patients in Group 1 had significantly lower MIDAS (median [IQR];16 [7-30], p < 0.001), WPAI-% total active impairment (mean (SD): Group 1 [30.9 (26.8)] vs. Group 2 [39.2 (24.5), p = 0.017], vs. Group 3 [45.9 (24.1), p < 0.001], vs. Group 4 [55.3 (23.0), p < 0.001], and PROMIS-PI-T score (Group 1 [60.3 (7.3)] vs. Group 2 [62.6 (6.4), p = 0.008], vs. Group 3 [64.6 (5.6), p < 0.001], vs. Group 4 [66.8 (5.9), p < 0.001]) compared to all other groups. Patients in Group 4 had significantly higher MIDAS (median (IQR): Group 4 [90 (52-138)] vs. Group 1 [16 (7-30), p < 0.001], vs. Group 2 [38 (20-58), p < 0.001], vs. Group 3 [55 (30-90), p < 0.001], WPAI-%Presenteeism (Group 4 [50.4 (24.4)] vs. Group 1 [28.8 (24.9), p < 0.001], vs. Group 2 [34.9 (22.3), p < 0.001], vs. Group 3 [40.9 (22.3), p = 0.048], WPAI-% total work productivity impairment (Group 4 [55.9 (26.1)] vs. Group 1 [32.1 (37.6), p < 0.001], vs. Group 2 [38.3 (24.0), p < 0.001], vs. Group 3 [44.6 (24.4), p = 0.019]), and WPAI-%Total activity impairment (Group 4 [55.3 (23.0)] vs. Group 1 [30.9 (26.8), p < 0.001], vs. Group 2 [39.2 (24.5), p < 0.001], vs. Group 3 [45.9 (24.1), p = 0.025]) scores compared with all other groups. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the use of a 15 headache day/month threshold to distinguish episodic and chronic migraine does not capture the burden of illness nor reflect the treatment needs of patients. These results have important implications for future refinements in the classification of migraine.

Migraine: disease characterisation, biomarkers, and precision medicine.

Migraine is a disabling neurological disorder, diagnosis of which is based on clinical criteria. A shortcoming of these criteria is that they do not fully capture the heterogeneity of migraine, including the underlying genetic and neurobiological factors. This complexity has generated momentum for biomarker research to improve disease characterisation and identify novel drug targets. In this Series paper, we present the progress that has been made in the search for biomarkers of migraine within genetics, provocation modelling, biochemistry, and neuroimaging research. Additionally, we outline challenges and future directions for each biomarker modality. We also discuss the advances made in combining and integrating data from multiple biomarker modalities. These efforts contribute to developing precision medicine that can be applied to future patients with migraine.

Evaluation and Treatment of Primary Headaches in Adolescents.

Headache is a common episodic and chronic pain syndrome in adolescents. Evaluation of headaches in primary care requires a comprehensive assessment including lifestyle behaviors and physical examination, as well as an understanding of when to pursue appropriate testing. Primary headache disorders seen in adolescents include migraine and tension-type headache. Pharmacologic management for primary headache includes both acute and prophylactic treatment strategies.

Cognitive impairment in chronic migraine: a cross-sectional study in a clinic-based sample.

Cognitive impairment has been described in all phases of a migraine attack and interictally. However, the prevalence and phenotype of such impairment in chronic migraine (CM) have not yet been studied. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate both the prevalence of the objective cognitive deficit in patients with CM and the factors underlying its etiology. METHODS: 144 patients with CM and 44 age-matched patients with low-frequency episodic migraine (EM) (a maximum of 4 headache days per month) participated in this study. Neuropsychiatric characteristics were measured with the HADS Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Cognitive function was assessed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), and the Perceived Deficits Questionnaire (PDQ-20). RESULTS: Compared to EM, CM subjects demonstrated higher subjective and objective cognitive impairment across all tests. CM patients had 4 times higher odds of achieving a RAVLT score in the lower quartile range compared to EM (Odds Ratio [OR] 3.8; 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 1.5‒9.6; р=0.005). In the MoCA, CM patients demonstrated the most striking impairment in memory/delayed recall (65.3%), attention (46.5%), abstraction (30.6%), and language (27.1%). Chronic headache and level of education, but not gender, depression or anxiety, were independent predictors of cognitive impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive impairment is prevalent in the CM population during their mildest possible pain and may be caused by a central sensitization. Timely preventive treatment of EM is warranted.

Cognitive impairment in chronic migraine: a cross-sectional study in a clinic-based sample / Comprometimento cognitivo na enxaqueca crônica: um estudo transversal em uma amostra clínica

Abstract Cognitive impairment has been described in all phases of a migraine attack and interictally. However, the prevalence and phenotype of such impairment in chronic migraine (CM) have not yet been studied. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate both the prevalence of the objective cognitive deficit in patients with CM and the factors underlying its etiology. Methods: 144 patients with CM and 44 age-matched patients with low-frequency episodic migraine (EM) (a maximum of 4 headache days per month) participated in this study. Neuropsychiatric characteristics were measured with the HADS Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Cognitive function was assessed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), and the Perceived Deficits Questionnaire (PDQ-20). Results: Compared to EM, CM subjects demonstrated higher subjective and objective cognitive impairment across all tests. CM patients had 4 times higher odds of achieving a RAVLT score in the lower quartile range compared to EM (Odds Ratio [OR] 3.8; 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 1.5‒9.6; р=0.005). In the MoCA, CM patients demonstrated the most striking impairment in memory/delayed recall (65.3%), attention (46.5%), abstraction (30.6%), and language (27.1%). Chronic headache and level of education, but not gender, depression or anxiety, were independent predictors of cognitive impairment. Conclusions: Cognitive impairment is prevalent in the CM population during their mildest possible pain and may be caused by a central sensitization. Timely preventive treatment of EM is warranted.

Resumo O comprometimento cognitivo foi descrito em todas as fases de um ataque de enxaqueca, de maneira intermitente. Entretanto, a prevalência e o fenótipo desse comprometimento na enxaqueca crônica (EC) não foram estudados. Objetivos: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a prevalência do déficit cognitivo objetivo em pacientes com EC e fatores subjacentes à sua etiologia. Métodos: 144 pacientes com CM e 44 pacientes pareados por idade com enxaqueca episódica (EE) de baixa frequência (máximo de 4 dias de dor de cabeça por mês) foram incluídos. As características neuropsiquiátricas foram medidas pela Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). A função cognitiva foi avaliada por meio da Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), o Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), o Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) e o Perceived Deficits Questionnaire (PDQ-20). Resultados: Em comparação com a EE, os indivíduos com EC demonstraram um comprometimento cognitivo subjetivo e objetivo maior em todos os testes. Os pacientes com CM tiveram 4 vezes mais chances de alcançar um escore RAVLT na faixa quartil inferior, em comparação com EE (Odds Ratio [OR] 3,8; intervalo de confiança de 95% [IC95%] 1,5‒9,6; p=0,005). No MoCA, os pacientes com EC demonstraram o maior prejuízo na memória/atraso na recordação (65,3%), atenção (46,5%), abstração (30,6%) e linguagem (27,1%). Dor de cabeça crônica e nível de escolaridade, mas não o sexo, depressão ou ansiedade, foram preditores independentes de comprometimento cognitivo. Conclusões: O comprometimento cognitivo é prevalente na população com enxaqueca crônica mesmo durante uma dor muito leve e pode ser causado pela sensibilização central. O tratamento preventivo oportuno da enxaqueca episódica se faz necessário.

Exploring Natural Clusters of Chronic Migraine Phenotypes: A Cross-Sectional Clinical Study.

Heterogeneity in chronic migraine (CM) presents significant challenge for diagnosis, management, and clinical trials. To explore naturally occurring clusters of CM, we utilized data reduction methods on migraine-related clinical dataset. Hierarchical agglomerative clustering and principal component analyses (PCA) were conducted to identify natural clusters in 100 CM patients using 14 migraine-related clinical variables. Three major clusters were identified. Cluster I (29 patients) - the severely impacted patient featured highest levels of depression and migraine-related disability. Cluster II (28 patients) - the minimally impacted patient exhibited highest levels of self-efficacy and exercise. Cluster III (43 patients) - the moderately impacted patient showed features ranging between Cluster I and II. The first 5 principal components (PC) of the PCA explained 65% of variability. The first PC (eigenvalue 4.2) showed one major pattern of clinical features positively loaded by migraine-related disability, depression, poor sleep quality, somatic symptoms, post-traumatic stress disorder, being overweight and negatively loaded by pain self-efficacy and exercise levels. CM patients can be classified into three naturally-occurring clusters. Patients with high self-efficacy and exercise levels had lower migraine-related disability, depression, sleep quality, and somatic symptoms. These results may ultimately inform different management strategies.

Framingham Risk Stratification of Middle-Aged Migraineurs.

Introduction. Migraine is a common primary headache disorder involving about 10-15% of the whole population. Several epidemiological and prospective studies showed a link between migraine (especially migraine with aura) and cardio- and cerebrovascular events. OBJECTIVES: We prospectively analyzed the data of vascular event-free middle-aged patients with migraine who were referred to our Headache Clinic between 01/2014 and 01/2018. Framingham 10-year risk were calculated; covariates included in the analysis were age, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, antihypertensive medication use, current smoking, and diabetes status. RESULTS: Total of 1037 patients were screened and 221 were selected, 161 were women (mean age 55.5 ± 5.2 years) and 60 were men (mean age 56 ± 6 years). 25 patients (11.3%) were labelled as having low risk, 162 patients (73.3%) had moderate risk, and 34 patients (15.4%) had high or very high risk. Blood pressure and lipid targets were reached in 73% and in 49% in the moderate risk and in 53% and 12% in the high risk/very high risk groups, respectively. Migraine with aura (MA) was associated significantly higher cardiovascular risk profile compared with migraine without aura (MO). About one-third of our nondiabetic patients had fasting blood glucose above the normal levels. 24 patients (mean age 60 ± 4.9 years) were diabetic. Mean blood pressure was 149/85 Hgmm, mean choleterol was 5.11 mmol/l, and mean LDL was 2.93 mmol/l in this subgroup, respectively, which do not fall within the recommended targets. CONCLUSION: Our article draws attention to the higher cardiovascular risk profile of middle-aged migraineurs and highlights the deficiency of primary prevention. Pain physicians must be aware of the cardiovascular aspects of migraine and holistic approach is required instead of focusing only on pain and pain relief.

Proposed new diagnostic criteria for chronic migraine.

INTRODUCTION: ICHD-3 criteria for chronic migraine (CM) include a mixture of migraine and tension-type-like headaches and do not account for patients who have a high frequency of migraine but no other headaches. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients from the Danish Headache Center and their relatives with ICHD-3 defined CM were compared with patients with high frequency episodic migraine (HFEM). Danish registries were used to compare the socioeconomic impact in these two groups. A Russian student population was used to determine the generalizability of the number of patients fulfilling CM and the proposed diagnostic criteria for CM. RESULTS: There was no difference in the demographic profile between the two groups in the Danish cohort. The number of lifelong or annual attacks (p > 0.3), comorbid diseases, or self-reported effect of triptans (p = 1) did not differ. HFEM patients purchased more triptans than CM patients (p = 0.01). CM patients received more early pension (p = 0.00135) but did not differ from HFEM patients with regard to sickness benefit (p = 0.207), cash assistance (p = 0.139), or rehabilitation benefit (p = 1). DISCUSSION: Patients with HFEM are comparable to CM patients with regard to chronicity and disability. We therefore suggest classifying CM as ≥ 8 migraine days per month (proposed CM), disregarding the need for ≥ 15 headache days per month. The proposed diagnostic criteria for CM approximately doubled the number of patients with CM in both the Danish and the Russian materials. Extending the definition of CM to include patients with HFEM will ensure that patients with significant disease burden and unmet treatment needs are identified and provided appropriate access to the range of treatment options and resources available to those with CM. CONCLUSION: Patients with migraine on eight or more days but not 15 days with headache a month are as disabled as patients with ICHD-3 defined CM. They should be included in revised diagnostic criteria for chronic migraine.

Episodic and chronic migraine in children.

Migraine is the most common acute and recurrent headache syndrome in children. This condition has unique clinical characteristics in the pediatric population, that can evolve with age, and significantly impact a child's quality of life, affecting their education, socialization, and family life. The purpose of this review is to describe the varied clinical features of migraine seen in children, and discuss potential treatment options for pediatric migraine, including chronic migraine. In many patients a multifaceted approach involving lifestyle changes, treatment of comorbid conditions, and pharmacological treatments are needed for optimal headache control. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: Migraine presents as various phenotypes in children, sometimes evolving as the child ages. An expanded range of treatment options exists for the challenging chronic migraine patient.

MIGRAÑA CRÓNICA Y EPISÓDICA EN NIÑOS: La migraña es la cefalea sindromática más común y recurrente en niños. Esta condición tiene características clínicas únicas en la población pediátrica, que puede evolucionar con la edad, e impacta significativamente la calidad de vida del niño, afecta su educación, socialización y su vida familiar. El objetivo de esta revisión es describir la variabilidad de las características clínicas de la migraña observadas en el niño y se discute las potenciales opciones terapéuticas para la migraña pediátrica, incluyendo la migraña crónica. En muchos pacientes, un abordaje multifacético que incluya cambios en el estilo de vida, tratamiento de condiciones comórbidas, y, tratamiento farmacológico, son necesarias para un óptimo control de las cefaleas.

ENXAQUECA EPISÓDICA E CRÔNICA EM CRIANÇAS: Enxaqueca é a síndrome de dores de cabeça aguda e recorrente mais comum em crianças. Esta condição tem características clínicas únicas na população pediátrica que podem evoluir com a idade, e impactar significativamente a qualidade de vida da criança, afetando sua educação, socialização e vida em família. O propósito desta revisão é descrever os variados aspectos clínicos da enxaqueca em crianças, e discutir potenciais opções de tratamento para a enxaqueca pediátrica, incluindo a enxaqueca crônica. Em muitos pacientes uma abordagem multifacetada envolvendo mudanças no estilo de vida, tratamento de condições comórbidas, e tratamentos farmacológicos é necessária para o controle adequado da dor de cabeça.

Subgrouping Factors Influencing Migraine Intensity in Women: A Semi-automatic Methodology Based on Machine Learning and Information Geometry.

BACKGROUND: Migraine is a heterogeneous condition with multiple clinical manifestations. Machine learning algorithms permit the identification of population groups, providing analytical advantages over other modeling techniques. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze critical features that permit the differentiation of subgroups of patients with migraine according to the intensity and frequency of attacks by using machine learning algorithms. METHODS: Sixty-seven women with migraine participated. Clinical features of migraine, related disability (Migraine Disability Assessment Scale), anxiety/depressive levels (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), anxiety state/trait levels (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), and pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) over the temporalis, neck, second metacarpal, and tibialis anterior were collected. Physical examination included the flexion-rotation test, cervical range of cervical motion, forward head position while sitting and standing, passive accessory intervertebral movements (PAIVMs) with headache reproduction, and joint positioning sense error. Subgrouping was based on machine learning algorithms by using the nearest neighbors algorithm, multisource variability assessment, and random forest model. RESULTS: For migraine intensity, group 2 (women with a regular migraine headache intensity score of 7 on an 11-point Numeric Pain Rating Scale [where 0 = no pain and 10 = maximum pain]) were younger and had lower joint positioning sense error in cervical rotation, greater cervical mobility in rotation and flexion, lower flexion-rotation test scores, positive PAIVMs reproducing migraine, normal PPTs over the tibialis anterior, shorter migraine history, and lower cranio-vertebral angles while standing than the remaining migraine intensity subgroups. The most discriminative variable was the flexion-rotation test score of the symptomatic side. For migraine frequency, no model was able to identify differences between groups (ie, patients with episodic or chronic migraine). CONCLUSIONS: A subgroup of women with migraine who had common migraine intensity was identified with machine learning algorithms.

Criterion-related validity in a sample of migraine outpatients: the diagnostic criteria for psychosomatic research.

OBJECTIVE: The Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research (DCPR) are those of psychosomatic syndromes that did not find room in the classical taxonomy. More recently, the DCPR were updated, called DCPR-revised (DCPR-R). The present study was conducted to test the criterion-related validity of the DCPR-R. METHODS: Two hundred consecutive subjects were enrolled at the Headache Center of Careggi University Hospital (Italy): 100 subjects had a diagnosis of chronic migraine (CM) and 100 had a diagnosis of episodic migraine (EM). Participants received a clinical assessment, which included the DCPR-revised Semi-Structured Interview (DCPR-R SSI), the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5), and the psychosocial index (PSI). RESULTS: Forty-seven subjects (23.5%) had at least one DSM-5 diagnosis: major depressive disorder (8.5%; n = 17) and agoraphobia (7.5%; n = 15) were the most frequent. One hundred and ten subjects (55%) reported a DCPR-R diagnosis: allostatic overload (29%; n = 58) and type A behavior (10.5%; n = 21) were the most frequent. When the incremental validity of the DCPR system over the DSM system was tested using PSI subscales as the criterion variable, the DCPR-R increased up to 0.11-0.24 the amount of explained variance. Subjects with at least one DCPR-R diagnosis showed lower PSI well-being scores (p = .001), higher PSI stress scores (p < .001), and higher PSI psychological distress scores (p = .008) than subjects without a DCPR-R diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The DCPR-R showed a good criterion-related validity in migraine outpatients. Thus, they might be implemented, together with the DSM-5, in the assessment of migraine subjects.

[Confusional migraine in a young adult female: Is it a subtype of migraine with aura?]

A 22-year-old female was admitted to our hospital due to acute onset of severe headache, confusion, and deterioration of consciousness. Results of initial examinations did not suggest cerebrovascular diseases, encephalitis, or nonconvulsive status epilepticus. Over the next several weeks, her level of consciousness fluctuated in parallel with the severity of headache. The electroencephalogram, recorded during a symptomatic episode, showed lack of posterior dominant rhythm, and the single-photon emission CT (SPECT) also revealed a decrease in cerebral blood flow predominantly in the occipital lobes. Administration of sodium valproate and topiramate, recommended as treatment for migraine, dramatically ameliorated her headache and consciousness. Although this was an adult-onset case, her symptoms and clinical course were similar with the diagnosis of ICHD-3-unlisted confusional migraine rather than other listed subtypes of migraine with aura. Further accumulation of similar adult-onset cases is necessary to clarify the nature of this illness.

Clinical features of chronic cluster headache based on the third edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders: A prospective multicentre study.

The criterion for the remission period of chronic cluster headache (CCH) was recently revised from < 1 month to < 3 months in the third edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3). However, information on the clinical features of CCH based on the ICHD-3 criteria is currently limited. The present study aimed to investigate the clinical features of CCH based on ICHD-3 using data from the Korean Cluster Headache Registry (KCHR). The KCHR is a multicentre prospective registry of patients with cluster headache (CH) from 15 hospitals. Among the 250 participants with CH, 12 and 176 participants were classified as having CCH and episodic cluster headache (ECH), respectively. Among 12 participants with CCH, 6 (50%) had remission periods of < 1 month, and the remaining 6 (50%) had a remission period of 1-3 months. Six participants had CCH from the time of onset of CH, and in the other 6 participants, CCH evolved from ECH. CCH subjects had later age of onset of CH, developed the condition after a longer interval after CH onset, and had more migraine and less nasal congestion and/or rhinorrhoea than ECH subjects. Clinical features of CCH with remission periods < 1 month were not significantly different from those of CCH with remission periods of 1-3 months, except for the total number of bouts. More current smoking and less diurnal rhythmicity were observed in participants with CCH evolved from ECH compared to those with ECH. In conclusion, the number of subjects with CCH doubled when the revised ICHD-3 criteria were used. Most of clinical characteristics of CCH did not differ when the previous and current version of ICHD was applied and compared. Some clinical features of CCH were different from those of ECH, and smoking may have a role in CH chronification.

Identifying and managing refractory migraine: barriers and opportunities?

The term refractory migraine has been used to describe persistent headache that is difficult to treat or fails to respond to standard and/or aggressive treatments. This subgroup of migraine patients are generally highly disabled and experience impaired quality of life, despite optimal treatments. Several definitions and criteria for refractory migraine have been published, but as yet, an accepted or established definition is not available. This article reviews the published criteria and proposes a new set of criteria. The epidemiology, pathophysiology and management options are also reviewed.

Consensus of the Brazilian Headache Society on the treatment of chronic migraine.

Chronic migraine poses a significant personal, social and economic burden and is characterized by headache present on 15 or more days per month for at least three months, with at least eight days of migrainous headache per month. It is frequently associated with analgesic or acute migraine medication overuse and this should not be overlooked. The present consensus was elaborated upon by a group of members of the Brazilian Headache Society in order to describe current evidence and to provide recommendations related to chronic migraine pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment. Withdrawal strategies in medication overuse headache are also described, as well as treatment risks during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Oral topiramate and onabotulinum toxin A injections are the only treatments granted Class A recommendation, while valproate, gabapentin, and tizanidine received Class B recommendation, along with acupuncture, biofeedback, and mindfulness. The anti-CGRP or anti-CGRPr monoclonal antibodies, still unavailable in Brazil, are promising new drugs already approved elsewhere for migraine prophylactic treatment, the efficacy of which in chronic migraine is still to be definitively proven.

[Migraine epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic data]. / Migraine : données épidémiologiques, cliniques et thérapeutiques.

Burden of disease study ranks headache disorders as the second leading cause of years lived with disability worldwide. Migraine has an estimated prevalence of 10 to 14% and is therefore the most common neurological pathology. It concerns young populations, with a female/male ratio of 3/1, and its impact in economic terms is mainly related to indirect costs. Migraine can be episodic or chronic depending on the frequency of headache days (≥ 15 days per month). The diagnosis of migraine is made according to international criteria, which are easy to use, with essential questions to be asked to patients in a logical order and structure. The migraine is explained by an activation of the so-called trigeminocervical system, with release of neuromediators participating in neurogenic inflammation and activation of second-order neurons. Migraine with aura is manifested by neurological symptoms, lasting less than 60 minutes, explained by the phenomenon of cortical spreading depression. Visual symptoms are the most commonly described aura event of migraine, other auras include sensory and speech disturbance. Cortical spreading depression is a slowly propagating wave of near-complete depolarization of neurons and glial cells spreading over the cortex at a speed of ∼3-5 mm/min. First-line acute treatment for migraine consists of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), triptans and antiemetics. Patients with frequent or chronic headaches warrant prophylactic therapy. Various classes of preventives can be used (ß-blockers, tricyclics, antiepileptics), with the choice of therapy tailored to the patient's risk factors and symptoms. In practice, treatment has two axes: NSAID or triptans for crisis treatment and for background treatment prescribed case by case, the first-intention molecules according to the French recommendations are beta-blockers, then, in case of failure, topiramate, oxetorone or amitriptyline.

Consensus of the Brazilian Headache Society on the treatment of chronic migraine / Consenso da Sociedade Brasileira de Cefaleia sobre o tratamento da migrânea crônica

ABSTRACT Chronic migraine poses a significant personal, social and economic burden and is characterized by headache present on 15 or more days per month for at least three months, with at least eight days of migrainous headache per month. It is frequently associated with analgesic or acute migraine medication overuse and this should not be overlooked. The present consensus was elaborated upon by a group of members of the Brazilian Headache Society in order to describe current evidence and to provide recommendations related to chronic migraine pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment. Withdrawal strategies in medication overuse headache are also described, as well as treatment risks during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Oral topiramate and onabotulinum toxin A injections are the only treatments granted Class A recommendation, while valproate, gabapentin, and tizanidine received Class B recommendation, along with acupuncture, biofeedback, and mindfulness. The anti-CGRP or anti-CGRPr monoclonal antibodies, still unavailable in Brazil, are promising new drugs already approved elsewhere for migraine prophylactic treatment, the efficacy of which in chronic migraine is still to be definitively proven.

RESUMO A migrânea (enxaqueca) crônica determina uma carga pessoal, social e econômica significativa e é caracterizada por dor de cabeça presente em quinze ou mais dias por mês por ao menos três meses, com no mínimo oito dias de cefaleia migranosa a cada mês. É frequentemente associada ao uso excessivo de medicação analgésica ou antimigranosa aguda e isso não deve ser negligenciado. Este consenso foi elaborado por um grupo de membros da Sociedade Brasileira de Cefaleia, para descrever as evidências atualmente disponíveis e fornecer recomendações relacionadas ao tratamento farmacológico e não farmacológico da migrânea crônica. Estratégias de retirada na cefaleia por uso excessivo de medicamentos também são descritas, assim como os riscos dos tratamentos durante a gravidez e a amamentação. O topiramato oral e as injeções de toxina onabotulínica A são os únicos tratamentos que receberam a recomendação classe A, enquanto que o valproato, a gabapentina e a tizanidina receberam recomendação classe B, juntamente com acupuntura, biofeedback e mindfulness. Os anticorpos monoclonais anti-CGRP ou anti-CGRPr, ainda não disponíveis no Brasil, são novos fármacos promissores, já aprovados em outros países para o tratamento profilático da migrânea, cuja eficácia na migrânea crônica ainda está por ser definitivamente comprovada.