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Biomedical subjects

N T Mathew

Publications and source records attributed to N T Mathew.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Serotonin syndrome complicating migraine pharmacotherapy.

Serotonin syndrome, a condition with numerous clinical neurological manifestations, is the result of central serotonergic hyperstimulation. Features of the syndrome include mental status and behavioral changes (agitation, excitement, hypomania, obtundation), motor system involvement (myoclonus, hemiballismus, tremor, hyperreflexia, motor weakness, dysarthria, ataxia) and autonomic symptoms (fever, chills, diarrhea). Serotonin syndrome has been reported exclusively in patients on medications for psychiatric illness and Parkinsonism, despite the fact that the putative action of many antimigraine agents also involves the serotonin system. We herein report six patients with migraine who developed symptoms suggestive of the serotonin syndrome. Five were taking one or more serotomimetic agents for migraine prophylaxis (sertraline, paroxetine, lithium, imipramine, amitriptyline). In each case the symptoms and signs developed in close temporal proximity with use of a migraine abortive agent known to interact with serotonin receptors. In three instances the agent was subcutaneous sumatriptan and, in three, intravenous dihydroergotamine. In each instance the symptoms were transient and there was full recovery. With the ever increasing use of migraine medications active at serotonin receptor sites, cases of serotonin syndrome will likely occur more frequently. It is important that physicians treating migraine are aware of the serotonin syndrome and are able to recognize its varying presentations.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Coexistence of migraine and idiopathic intracranial hypertension without papilledema.

Eighty-five patients with refractory transformed migraine type of chronic daily headache (CDH) had spinal tap as a part of diagnostic work-up. Twelve had increased intracranial pressure without papilledema, transient visual obscurations, or visual field defects. The headache profile of these 12 patients was not different from that of transformed migraine type of CDH. Acute headache exacerbations responded to specific antimigraine agents such as ergotamine, dihydroergotamine (DHE), and sumatriptan, whereas prophylactic antimigraine medications were only partially helpful. Addition of agents such as acetazolamide and furosemide, after the diagnosis of increased intracranial pressure, resulted in better control of symptoms. These observations suggest a link between migraine and idiopathic intracranial hypertension that needs further research. In refractory CDH with migrainous features, a spinal tap to exclude coexistent idiopathic intracranial hypertension without papilledema may be indicated.

Acetazolamide↗
PubMed1995

Migraine prophylaxis with divalproex.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness and safety of divalproex sodium (Depakote) and placebo in the prophylaxis of migraine headache. DESIGN: Multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled investigation, having a 4-week, single-blind placebo baseline phase and a 12-week treatment phase (4-week dose adjustment, 8-week maintenance). SETTING: Eight headache/neurology clinics throughout the United States. PATIENTS: One hundred seven patients randomized to divalproex or placebo (2:1 ratio): 70 receiving divalproex and 37 receiving placebo. INTERVENTION: Divalproex and placebo dosages titrated in blinded fashion during dose adjustment period to achieve actual/sham trough valproate sodium concentrations of approximately 70 to 120 mg/L. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: During the treatment phase, the mean migraine headache frequency per 4 weeks was 3.5 in the divalproex group and 5.7 in the placebo group (p < or = .001), compared with 6.0 and 6.4, respectively, during the baseline phase. Forty-eight percent of divalproex-treated patients and 14% of placebo-treated patients showed a 50% or greater reduction in migraine headache frequency from the baseline phase (P < .001). Among those with migraine headaches, divalproex-treated patients reported significantly less functional restriction than placebo-treated patients and used significantly less symptomatic medication per episode. No significant treatment group differences were observed in average peak severity or duration of individual migraine headaches. Treatment was stopped in 13% of divalproex-treated patients and 5% of placebo-treated patients because of intolerance (P, not significant). CONCLUSIONS: Divalproex is an effective prophylactic drug for patients with migraine headaches and is generally well tolerated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

The International Headache Society (IHS) headache classification as applied to a headache clinic population.

Four hundred patients attending a headache clinic were classified using the IHS criteria. The majority required more than two, often three or four, diagnoses. Even though migraine was the most common diagnosis, only 1/4 of those with a migraine diagnosis had it as the only diagnosis. Seventy-five percent of migraine patients had coexistent chronic tension-type headache (CTTH), drug-induced headache or both. Ninety-six percent of patients diagnosed as having migraine with aura also suffered from migraine without aura. More than 1/3 of patients (37.7%) attending the clinic suffered from chronic daily headache (CDH) (chronic cluster headache excluded), which is not included as a separate entity in the IHS classification. Pure CTTH formed only a small minority of CDH, whereas 86.6% of CDH had migraine as one of the diagnoses. Drug-induced headache was a prominent second or third diagnosis. The advantages and disadvantages of multiple verses single diagnosis in CDH and the need to recognize the natural history of headache disorders in the classification are discussed.

Ambulatory Care Facilities↗
PubMed1994

Classification of daily and near-daily headaches: proposed revisions to the IHS criteria.

The International Headache Society (IHS) headache classification, while a major advance, does not adequately classify the daily and near-daily headache disorders known as chronic daily headache (CDH). We believe that chronic daily headache is a group of disorders which includes chronic tension-type headache (CTTH), transformed migraine (TM), new daily persistent headache (NDPH), and hemicrania continua (HC). We propose specific criteria for transformed migraine, new daily persistent headache, and hemicrania continua, and have modified the criteria for chronic tension-type headache.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed1993

Severe diffuse intracranial vasospasm as a cause of extensive migrainous cerebral infarction.

We report on a 47-year-old white female with a long history of recurrent episodes of migraine with aura, who progressed to develop a continuous intractable headache during the course of which cortical blindness and quadriparesis occurred due to extensive and bilateral hemispheric cerebral infarction. Severe diffuse intracranial major arterial vasospasm was demonstrated by arteriogram. All studies were negative for CNS vasculitis, including cerebral biopsy. The arterial spasm reversed itself, but the patient did not improve. Smoking was the only additional risk factor. Vasospasm is an important cause to be considered in migrainous infarctions. The use of vasoconstrictor agents such as DHE in patients with migraine with prolonged aura has to be carefully re-evaluated.

Blindness↗
PubMed1993

Transformed migraine.

Chronic tension-type headache, which is included in the International Headache Classification, is present in only a minority of patients who present with chronic daily headache. The majority have what is termed transformed migraine, with a history of distinct episodes of migraine in the initial years which progresses into chronic daily headache. These patients with transformed migraine exhibit mixed features of migraine and chronic tension-type headache. Two distinct types of transformed migraine are identifiable, namely those related to excessive intake of medications (drug-induced transformed migraine) and those unrelated to excessive use of medications. The clinical features of transformed migraine and the drug-induced variety are described. The need for revision of the International Classification to include chronic daily headache and the subtypes of transformed migraine is pointed out.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Chronic refractory headache.

Approximately 40% of patients seen in major headache clinics suffer from chronic daily headache. Of a series of 630 patients with chronic daily headache, 489 were diagnosed with transformed migraine, 84 with chronic tension-type headache, and 57 with new daily persistent headache. Of these patients, 73% overused symptomatic medication, particularly analgesics and ergotamine, and as a result, suffered from drug-induced headache or rebound headache.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Dose ranging efficacy and safety of subcutaneous sumatriptan in the acute treatment of migraine. US Sumatriptan Research Group.

Sumatriptan, a specific serotonin1-like receptor agonist, was studied in the acute treatment of migraine. Two hundred forty-two adult migraineurs participated in a randomized, double-blind study in which one dose of 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, or 8 mg of subcutaneous sumatriptan succinate was evaluated in sequential ascending fashion. At each dose level, a placebo group was included. Efficacy was defined as reduction of moderate or severe pain to mild or no pain, without the use of rescue medication. Headache relief rates showed an approximate dose-response relationship and at 1 hour were as follows: placebo, 24%; 1 mg, 43%; 2 mg, 57%; 3 mg, 57%; 4 mg, 50%; 6 mg, 73%; and 8 mg, 80%. Relief of nausea and improvement in clinical disability were also approximately dose related. Adverse events were dose related; the most common types were injection site reactions and tingling. The 6-mg dose was as effective as the 8-mg dose but was associated with fewer adverse effects and so is optimal.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Assessment of chronic refractory headache: the role of the MMPI-2.

We investigated the utility of the newly revised version of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, the MMPI-2, for assessing psychopathology in three diagnostic headache groups, Post Traumatic, Status Migrainosus, and Status Migrainosus with Analgesic Rebound. We also investigated whether distinct clusters of headache sufferers could be identified using the MMPI-2 clinical scales, and whether these clusters coincide with headache diagnosis. Eighty-one patients in treatment at the Houston Headache Clinic were diagnosed and administered the MMPI-2. Significant levels of psychopathology were found in all three diagnostic groups. Furthermore, Cluster analysis identified three clusters of patients with equal proportions of patients from the three diagnostic groups. Cluster 1 patients were abnormally high on many MMPI-2 clinical scales; Cluster 2 patients showed more moderate elevations, and Cluster 3 patients had essentially normal profiles. We concluded that the MMPI-2 offers additional information not available through medical diagnosis alone. Thus, it is crucial to include psychological assessment in any comprehensive evaluation of chronic headache patients. Further implications for treatment planning and effectiveness are discussed.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1992

Cluster headache.

In this article we describe the clinical features, natural history, and clinical variants of cluster headaches, following the modern International Headache Society classification of cluster headaches in its two types: episodic and chronic. The basic pathophysiology is considered to be the trigeminal vascular system, the common final pain pathway, with pain initiated in a cyclical fashion by disordered central hypothalamic pacemaker. Oxygen, rapidly acting ergotamine, or dihydroergotamine preparations serve as abortive treatment of acute attacks; various pharmacotherapeutic options and combination therapies aid in the prophylaxis of cluster headache; and trigeminal radio frequency gangliorhizolysis is a very useful surgical approach in patients with chronic cluster headache who are resistant to medical treatment.

Cluster Headache↗
PubMed1991

Valproate in the treatment of persistent chronic daily headache. An open label study.

Thirty patients with persistent chronic daily headache, unresponsive to various combinations of pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment were selected for an open label study using divalproex sodium. All patients had normal liver function tests. After a baseline observation period of 1 month, patients were given divalproex sodium 1000 to 2000 mg per day, for a period of 3 months. Blood valproic acid levels were kept between 75 and 100 mcg/ml. Liver function studies and blood ammonia levels were obtained periodically. Based on weekly headache index, headache-free days, dysfunctional days and patients' general well-being rating and physicians' global assessment, two thirds of the patients improved significantly. The common side effects included weight gain, tremor, hair loss and nausea. Liver functions were unaffected by treatment. The possible mechanism of action of valproate in headache is discussed. Valproate appears to be a worthwhile addition to the prophylactic treatment of chronic recurrent headache.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed1990

Drug induced refractory headache--clinical features and management.

Two hundred patients who were taking daily symptomatic or immediate relief medications, often in excessive quantities, yet suffering from daily or near daily severe headaches were studied. One hundred and sixteen (58%) of them were also taking concomitant prophylactic medications and they were ineffective. Low tyramine, low caffeine dietary instructions and biofeedback training were given to all patients. The effect of continuing symptomatic medications, discontinuing symptomatic medications, and adding or changing prophylactic medications were studied in the various treatment groups. It is concluded that; 1.) Daily use of symptomatic or immediate relief medications result in chronic daily headache. 2.) Discontinuing daily symptomatic medications itself result in improvement of headache. 3.) Concomitant use of symptomatic medications nullifies the effect of prophylactic medications. 4.) Discontinuing daily symptomatic medications enhances the beneficial effect of prophylactic medications.

Adolescent↗