Impact of Migraine on Family Members - A Cross-sectional Study in Southern Part of India.

BACKGROUND: Migraine is a disabling primary headache disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of headache. Migraine not only imposes a burden on the sufferer but also imposes a burden on their family members too. A holistic approach is more essential in the management of migraine and family members should also be included in the management of migraine. There are no published studies done in India so far to look for the impact of migraine on partners and adolescent children (IMPAC). This pilot study was done to assess the IMPAC. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to study the IMPAC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this descriptive study, 130 chronic migraine patients were observed in a row during 9 months. The impact of migraine on family members as well as migraine disability and Migraine-specific Quality of Life (MSQoL) was evaluated using validated questionnaires. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty chronic migraine patients were studied as part of this study. The mean age of the study population was 34.43 ± 9.002 years, and two-third of the participants were female. The majority of the participants had a moderate-to-severe disability due to migraine and had negatively impacted their MSQoL. The impact of migraine on family members was moderate-to-severe grade in most of the participants and affected their family life negatively both with children and spouses. The males were more significantly affected than females in terms of MSQoL, anxiety, depression, and also on migraine's impact on family members. CONCLUSION: Migraine not only affects the sufferers, it also significantly affects their family members.

Résumé Contexte:La migraine est une céphalée primaire invalidante caractérisée par des épisodes récurrents de céphalées. La migraine n'impose pas seulementun fardeau pour la victime, mais impose également un fardeau aux membres de sa famille. Une approche holistique est plus essentielle dans la gestion des la migraine et les membres de la famille doivent également être impliqués dans la prise en charge de la migraine. Il n'existe jusqu'à présent aucune étude publiée en Inde pour rechercher l'impact de la migraine sur les partenaires et les adolescents (IMPAC). Cette étude pilote a été réalisée pour évaluer l'IMPAC.Objectif:L'objectif de l'étude était d'étudier l'IMPAC.Matériels et méthodes:Dans cette étude descriptive, 130 patients migraineux chroniques ont été observés d'affilée pendant 9 mois. L'impact de la migraine sur les membres de la famille ainsi que l'incapacité migraineuse et la qualité de vie spécifique à la migraine (MSQoL) ont été évalués à l'aide de questionnaires validés.Résultats:Cent trente patients migraineux chroniques ont été étudiés dans le cadre de cette étude. L'âge moyen de la population étudiée était de 34,43 ± 9,002 ans et les deux tiers des participants étaient des femmes. La majorité des participants souffraient d'un handicap modéré à sévère dû à une migraine et avaient eu un impact négatif sur leur MSQoL. L'impact de la migraine Les effets sur les membres de la famille étaient modérés à sévères chez la plupart des participants et affectaient négativement leur vie familiale, tant avec les enfants que avec les conjoints. Les hommes ont été plus significativement touchés que les femmes en termes de MSQoL, d'anxiété, de dépression, ainsi que d'impact de la migraine sur les membres de la famille.Conclusion:La migraine n'affecte pas seulement les personnes qui en souffrent, elle affecte également de manière significative les membres de leur famille.

Molecular and Biochemical Therapeutic Strategies for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Significant progress has been achieved in understanding Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) mechanisms and developing treatments to slow disease progression. This review article thoroughly assesses primary and secondary DMD therapies, focusing on innovative modalities. The primary therapy addresses the genetic abnormality causing DMD, specifically the absence or reduced expression of dystrophin. Gene replacement therapies, such as exon skipping, readthrough, and gene editing technologies, show promise in restoring dystrophin expression. Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs), a recent advancement in viral vector-based gene therapies, have shown encouraging results in preclinical and clinical studies. Secondary therapies aim to maintain muscle function and improve quality of life by mitigating DMD symptoms and complications. Glucocorticoid drugs like prednisone and deflazacort have proven effective in slowing disease progression and delaying loss of ambulation. Supportive treatments targeting calcium dysregulation, histone deacetylase, and redox imbalance are also crucial for preserving overall health and function. Additionally, the review includes a detailed table of ongoing and approved clinical trials for DMD, exploring various therapeutic approaches such as gene therapies, exon skipping drugs, utrophin modulators, anti-inflammatory agents, and novel compounds. This highlights the dynamic research field and ongoing efforts to develop effective DMD treatments.

Idiopathic Hypertension with Multiple Cranial Nerve Palsies: A Case Report and Literature Review.

We report a rare case of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) with multiple cranial nerve palsies involving cranial nerves VI, VII, IX, and X in a 32-year-old female who had no prior comorbidities. Her condition improved rapidly on a ten-day regimen of acetazolamide and tablet topiramate. IIH should be considered in every patient presenting with persistent headache and multiple cranial nerve abnormalities. This paper also includes a literature review of similar cases.

A Clinical Pharmacist-led Approach on Reducing Drug Related Problems Among Patients with Neurological Disorders: An Interventional Study.

Background: Neurological disorders are common in the general population and the majority of patients have other chronic diseases, necessitating the use of multiple medications, which increases the incidence of drug-related problems (DRPs). Studies from different countries discovered an average of 0.29-1.45 DRPs per patient admitted into the neurology unit. Objectives: To identify common DRPs and to evaluate the impact of clinical pharmacist's interventions in resolving the identified DRPs in patients with neurological disorders. Methods: A prospective interventional study was conducted in the Department of Neurology in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Southern India, for a period of six months. Patients aged ≥18 years and had been hospitalized for >24 h, were intensively monitored until discharge for the occurrence of any DRPs and pharmacist interventions were provided. The identified DRPs were classified according to Hepler and Strand's Classification. Results: A total of 310 prescriptions were reviewed, of which 174 patients (mean age 45.93 ± 2.49 years) experienced at least one DRP during their hospital stay. The average DRP per patient was found to be 1.75, with drug-drug interactions [254 (83%)] being the predominant DRPs, followed by adverse drug reactions [13 (4%)], and drug duplications [9 (3%)]. Most of the drug-drug interactions were pharmacokinetic [144 (56.69%)]. Hyponatremia [2 (15%)]; and nausea and vomiting [2 (15%)] were most commonly reported ADRs. All 306 DRPs involved active clinical pharmacist intervention, of which [275 (89.87%)] of pharmacists' interventions were accepted, which led to modification of the therapy. Conclusion: Monitoring the use of drugs allowed the clinical pharmacist to detect DRPs and to suggest interventions that promote rational drug prescribing, therapy optimization and enhanced patient safety.

Dual arterial thrombosis: A diagnostic enigma.

Cold agglutinin disease is a rare cause of arterial thrombosis leading to stroke, commonly encountered against a background of mycoplasma pneumonia infections. A 22-year-old patient presented with acute-onset left hemiplegia preceded by a short history of fever and cough. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a right middle cerebral artery infarct. Serially repeated hemoglobin levels showed a progressive drop and peripheral smear showed evidence of hemolysis. Blood drawn for investigations would rapidly clot, suggesting a possibility of cold agglutinin-induced hemolysis. The patient was then worked up for all the possible causes of hemolytic anemia including secondary causes which were all negative except for significant immunoglobulin M mycoplasma levels with elevated cold antibody titers. The patient was then initiated on pulse steroids with azithromycin and doxycycline and hemoglobin levels stabilized. The patient also developed pulmonary thromboembolism which was managed with anticoagulation. The patient made a steady improvement, was discharged, and is on follow-up. Here, we present a unique case of mycoplasma associated cold agglutinin disease causing arterial thrombosis.

Résumé La maladie à l'agglutinine froide est une cause rare de thrombose artérielle conduisant à un accident vasculaire cérébral, couramment rencontré dans un contexte d'infections à la pneumonie des mycoplasmes. Un patient de 22 ans a présenté une hémiplégie gauche aiguë précédée d'une courte histoire de fièvre et de toux. L'imagerie par résonance magnétique (IRM) a montré une infarctus de l'artère cérébrale moyenne droite. Les niveaux d'hémoglobine répétés en série ont montré une baisse progressive et le frottis périphérique a montré des preuves d'hémolyse. Le sang prélevé pour les investigations allait rapidement, suggérant une possibilité d'hémolyse induite par l'agglutinine froide. Le patient a ensuite été élaboré pour toutes les causes possibles de l'anémie hémolytique, y compris des causes secondaires qui étaient toutes négatives, sauf pour des niveaux d'immunoglobuline M de Mycoplasma significatifs avec des titres élevés d'anticorps froid. Le patient a ensuite été initié sur des stéroïdes d'impulsion avec de l'azithromycine et des niveaux de doxycycline et d'hémoglobine stabilisés. Le patient a également développé une thromboembolie pulmonaire qui a été gérée avec l'anticoagulation. Le patient a fait une amélioration constante, a été libéré et est sur le suivi. Ici, nous présentons un cas unique de maladie d'agglutinine à froid associée aux mycoplasmes provoquant une thrombose artérielle. Mots-clés: Maladie d'agglutinine à froid, accident vasculaire cérébral, thrombose pulmonaire.

Does COVID-19 contribute to development of neurological disease?

BACKGROUND: Although coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated primarily with pneumonia, recent data show that the causative agent of COVID-19, the coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), can infect a large number of vital organs beyond the lungs, such as the heart, kidneys, and the brain. Thus, there is evidence showing possible retrograde transmission of the virus from the olfactory epithelium to regions of the brain stem. METHODS: This is a literature review article. The research design method is an evidence-based rapid review. The present discourse aim is first to scrutinize and assess the available literature on COVID-19 repercussion on the central nervous system (CNS). Standard literature and database searches were implemented, gathered relevant material, and extracted information was then assessed. RESULTS: The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors being the receptor for the virus, the threat to the central nervous system is expected. Neurons and glial cells express ACE2 receptors in the CNS, and recent studies suggest that activated glial cells contribute to neuroinflammation and the devastating effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the CNS. The SARS-CoV-2-induced immune-mediated demyelinating disease, cerebrovascular damage, neurodegeneration, and depression are some of the neurological complications discussed here. CONCLUSION: This review correlates present clinical manifestations of COVID-19 patients with possible neurological consequences in the future, thus preparing healthcare providers for possible future consequences of COVID-19.

The Impact of Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy on Executive Functions.

Background: Idiopathic generalized epilepsy is defined as seizures with a possible hereditary predisposition without an underlying cause or structural pathology. Assessment of executive dysfunction in idiopathic generalized epilepsies based on standard Indian battery is not available in the literature. Aims and Objectives: To assess specific executive functions affected in patients with idiopathic epilepsy and their association with various variables. Materials and Methods: Type of observational cross-sectional study, where clinical profile of all idiopathic epilepsy patients attending the neurology OPD was studied and their executive higher mental functions were assessed using the NIMHANS battery. Results: A total of 75 idiopathic generalized epilepsy patients were included in the study. Executive functions that were commonly found abnormal in our study were word fluency (P ≤ .001), category fluency (P < .001), verbal n-back (P < .001), Tower of London (p < 0.01), and Stroop test (P < 0.01). Executive functions showed a significant correlation with age at symptom onset, duration of epilepsy, and in those with uncontrolled seizures. Conclusion: Patients of idiopathic generalized epilepsy according to the present study were found to have significant executive dysfunction in multiple domains. This necessitates the screening for executive dysfunctions, which if detected should prompt the clinician to initiate cognitive retraining.

Assessment of Alteration of Serum Adiponectin Levels in Migraineurs: An Interventional Case Control Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Migraine is one of the major headache disorders. Epidemiological studies have shown its high prevalence and negative impact on personal and socioeconomic aspects. It is currently ranked 19th by the "World Health Organization" amongst all diseases, leading to disability worldwide. Inflammatory mediators, which include adipokines, have been analyzed in migraine pathophysiology. Nevertheless, their role is not well recognized. This study is aimed to assess serum high molecular weight adiponectin (HMW-ADP) levels in migraineurs: during the ictal phase, prior to, and postabortive treatment. METHODS: This was a hospital-based interventional case-controlled study, checking the peripheral blood samples from migraineurs during an acute attack and after one hour of treatment with naproxen sodium (10-15 mg/kg). Age, sex, and BMI matched controls without headache were taken, and a single blood sample was drawn in them. HMW-ADP levels were evaluated by immunoassays. RESULTS: A total of 120 patients which included 60 migraine patients along with 60 controls without headache were involved in the study. HMW-ADP was higher in migraine patients (9.89 ± 5.04 mcg/mL) than in patients without headache history (4.63 ± 2.98 mcg/mL; P = < .001); along with this, serum HMW-ADP (6.4 ± 4.09 mcg/mL; P = <.001) was found to be significantly lower in responders 60 min after acute abortive treatment. CONCLUSION: HMW-ADP levels were raised in migraineurs. Additionally, among responders following abortive treatment a considerable reduction in the levels was noted. These results recommend that the HMW-ADP might be a possible "novel biomarker of acute remedy response in acute migraineurs".