Antiphospholipids Antibodies and Migraine

Background: Antiphospholipids antibodies has been associated with non-thrombotic neurological conditions such as migraine. We set out to estimate the concentration of antiphospholipids antibody among patients with migraine and normal population. Methods: This is prospective case-control study of 158 subjects including 82 migraine patients who fulfilled the International Headache Society criteria for the diagnosis of migraine headache and 76 age and sex-matched controls who were mostly hospital staff and medical students. Blood samples were taken for quantification of antiphospholipids antibodies. Results: There were 28 males and 54 females among the migraine patients and 30 males and 46 females among the controls. Their mean ages were 28.8 + 8.4 years and 26.4 + 3.9 years; respectively. Migraine patients had increased level of aPL (lgG anti Beta2GP1) 27.76 + 14.47IU/ml compared to the normal healthy adults (21.43 + 9.4IU/ml) (p0.05). Similarly; antiphospholipid antibodies was significantly elevated in migraine patients with aura compared to those without aura; (?2

Severe Burns as a Consequence of Epilepsy in a Rural Community of North Eastern Nigeria

Objective: Epilepsy; a common clinical disorder usually presents with generalized tonic clonic seizures resulting in a fall and loss of consciousness. Seizures occurring near a burning agent may lead to a fall onto the burning agent and result in severe burns. A prospective study of all patients who sustained burns during an epilepsy seizure presenting to Federal Medical Center Azare; Bauchi State; Nigeria between January 2003 and June 2005 was conducted. Methods: The age; sex; place of incidence; site and extent of injury; cause of burns and treatment outcome were analyzed. Results: A total of 79 patients presented with burns during the study period; nine (11) were as a result of an epileptic seizure. The nine patients comprised of 6 adults and 3 children. Majority were mothers and their children. The place of accident was the home in 7 patients while 2 occurred on the farm. Seven were flame burns and two scalds. Conclusion: This study highlights that epilepsy is an important cause of severe burns in our environment. Women at home and children dependent on them are more at risk hence the need for public enlightenment