Peter,
This has interesting implications for POZN, no?
>>SPRINGFIELD, Mo.--(BW HealthWire)--June 11, 2001--Many headache sufferers may be treating the wrong problem, according to research presented at the recent American Academy of Neurology Meeting in Philadelphia. This has significant implications for patients as well as the pharmaceutical industry, insurers and managed care organizations.
Fully 97 percent of patients who said they suffer from sinus headache actually had symptoms consistent with migraine, according to research conducted at Headache Care Center, Springfield, Missouri. ``We initiated this study after seeing many patients in our clinic who complained of sinus headache, but who also had symptoms of migraine,'' said neurologist and researcher Curtis P. Schreiber, M.D. ``Many of these patients consequently responded very well to migraine-specific treatments.''
Researchers found that more than half (57 percent) of the patients enrolled in the study were dissatisfied with their current treatment. Of course, not all pain and pressure in the sinus cavity is migraine, and patients with obvious signs of contagious bacterial infection were excluded from the study. Clearly, those who actually have migraine masquerading as sinus may benefit greatly from accurate diagnosis. Accurate diagnosis leading to proper medication could actually lower treatment costs.
On their own, patients may have a hard time distinguishing between the symptoms of migraine and sinus, said Schreiber, who co-authored the study with renowned headache specialist Roger K. Cady, M.D. Both sinus and migraine headache can cause sinus symptoms and nasal drainage. Both may be brought on by changes in weather or seasons.
``Many patients presume that their symptoms are caused by problems with the sinuses themselves,'' said Schreiber. ``Actually, the trigeminal nerve may have become inflamed. Migraine causes inflammation of nerves and blood vessels in the head, and the trigeminal nerve has branches in the forehead, cheeks and jaw as well as in the covering of the brain. An inflammation of the lower branches of this nerve may cause sinus symptoms to predominate at the start of the headache.''
This new data can help physicians treat patients with migraine-specific medications called triptans. Even though these patients experience migraine pain, 42 percent do not believe their headaches warrant medical attention. Pharmaceutical research has made great strides since the first triptan medication was released in 1993; to date the Food and Drug Administration has approved seven triptan forms.
For the sinus study, researchers recruited 30 community members aged 18-65. They had self-described sinus headache and had never been diagnosed with migraine. The subjects also reported at least six headache attacks within the previous six months and experienced one or more symptoms of migraine such as moderate to severe head pain, sensitivity to light or sound and nausea or vomiting.
Results of this study indicate a need for more research. Headache Care Center is affiliated with Primary Care Network, Inc., a family of companies that provide medical education, research, implementation and information technology to the pharmaceutical and managed care industries. Primary Care Network members receive education that helps them better manage chronic disorders in the primary setting. Network members are continuing to gather data for the study.
For more information about this study:
Kathy Habegger
417-886-2026 ext. 243
Primary Care Network
1230 East Kingsley
Springfield, MO 65804
Khabegger@primarycarenet.org<<
Cheers, Tuck |
