Are more nerve injections in the same session more effective in migraine treatment? 3-month follow-up results.

Background and purpose: Peripheral nerve blockade techniques have been developed for both acute and prophylactic treatment of migraine. Our aim was to compare pain parameters between the groups of patients who only had greater occipital nerve blockade (GON), and those who also had blockade to the supraorbital nerve (SON) and infraorbital nerve (ION) together with greater occipital nerve blockade, in order to reduce pain more effectively in migraine patients. Methods: 50 patients diagnosed with migraine were included in our study. 22 patients underwent only bilateral GON blockade (GONB), and 28 patients underwent bila-teral GON blockade and bilateral SON and ION blocka-des (MCNB). In both groups, the number of headache days and visual analog scale scores of the patients were noted in the first month before the injection, in the first, second and third months after the injections (injections were applied to patients 3 times with one-month intervals). Results: While the number of headache days before injection was 9.6 days/month in the GONB group and 9.3 days/month in the MCNB group, it was 6.2 days/month and 5.2 days/month after the first injection, 5.3 days/month and 3.8 days/month after the second injection, and 3.9 days/month and 2.8 days/month after the third injection, respectively (p < 0.01). While the visual analog scale scores of both groups were 8.1 before injection, it decreased to 5.9 and 6.0, respectively, after the third injection. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the reduction of pain parameters between only GON blockade and SON and ION blockades in addition to GON blockade.

Botulinum toxin type A wear-off phenomenon in chronic migraine patients: how long does the maximum efficiency last? / O fenômeno do encurtamento do efeito da toxina botulínica tipo A em pacientes com migrânea crônica: quanto tempo dura a eficiência máxima?

ABSTRACT Background: Botulinum toxin Type A (BoNTA) is a successful treatment for chronic migraine prophylaxis. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the monthly change of effectiveness of BoNTA treatment. Methods: A total of 80 patients (70 females and 10 males) with chronic migraine were included. In our study protocol, we applied to 155 U across 31 fixed-sites and if the patient had pain, 40 U dose injections were applied across 8 specific head/neck muscle areas. Headache days and analgesic intake were noted before the BoNTA injection and during the interviews at the first, second, and third months after the BoNTA injection. Results: The mean age was 37.59 ± 7.60 and 87.5% of the patients were female. The mean number of headache days/month before BoNTA was 18.95±2.69, decreasing to 10.55±3.15 days/month in the first month (p<0.001), 9.31±2.43 days/month in the second month (p<0.001), and increased to 11.97±3.27 days/month in the third month (p<0.001). The mean analgesic intake before BoNTA was 11.48±4.68 tablets/month, while it decreased to 6.53±2.72 tablets/month in the first month (p<0.001) and 5.40±2.46 tablets/month in the second month (p<0.001). In the third month, it was 5.85±2.59 tablets/month (p<0.001). There was a significant increase in pain medication use from the second to the third month (p<0.001). Conclusion: In our study, there was a significant reduction in analgesic intake and headache days in the first and second months after BoNTA injection, and an increase was observed in the third month.

RESUMO Antecedentes: A toxina botulínica Tipo A (BoNTA) é um tratamento de sucesso para a profilaxia da migrânea crônica. Objetivo: Nosso objetivo foi avaliar a mudança mensal da eficácia do tratamento com BoNTA. Métodos: Um total de 80 pacientes (70 mulheres e 10 homens) com migrânea crônica foi incluído. Em nosso protocolo de estudo, aplicamos 155 U em 31 locais fixos e, se o paciente sentisse dor, injeções de dose de 40 U foram aplicadas em 8 áreas musculares específicas da cabeça/pescoço. Dias de cefaleia e ingestão de analgésicos foram anotados antes da injeção de BoNTA e durante as entrevistas no primeiro, segundo e terceiro meses após a injeção de BoNTA. Resultados: A média de idade foi 37,59±7,60 e 87,5% dos pacientes eram do sexo feminino. O número médio de cefaleias dias/mês antes da BoNTA foi de 18,95±2,69 dias/mês, diminuindo para 10,55±3,15 dias/mês no primeiro mês (p<0,001), 9,31±2,43 dias/mês no segundo mês (p<0,001), e aumentou para 11,97±3,27 dias/mês no terceiro mês (p<0,001). A ingestão média de analgésicos antes da BoNTA foi de 11,48±4,68 comprimidos/mês, enquanto diminuiu para 6,53±2,72 comprimidos/mês no primeiro mês (p<0,001) e 5,40±2,46 comprimidos/mês no segundo mês (p<0,001). No terceiro mês, era de 5,85±2,59 comprimidos/mês (p<0,001). Quando comparados o segundo e o terceiro mês, observou-se aumento significativo do uso de analgésicos do segundo para o terceiro mês (p<0,001). Conclusão: Em nosso estudo, houve redução significativa da ingestão de analgésicos e dos dias de cefaleia no primeiro e segundo meses após a injeção de BoNTA, e aumento no terceiro mês.

Botulinum toxin type A wear-off phenomenon in chronic migraine patients: how long does the maximum efficiency last?

BACKGROUND: Botulinum toxin Type A (BoNTA) is a successful treatment for chronic migraine prophylaxis. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the monthly change of effectiveness of BoNTA treatment. METHODS: A total of 80 patients (70 females and 10 males) with chronic migraine were included. In our study protocol, we applied to 155 U across 31 fixed-sites and if the patient had pain, 40 U dose injections were applied across 8 specific head/neck muscle areas. Headache days and analgesic intake were noted before the BoNTA injection and during the interviews at the first, second, and third months after the BoNTA injection. RESULTS: The mean age was 37.59 ± 7.60 and 87.5% of the patients were female. The mean number of headache days/month before BoNTA was 18.95±2.69, decreasing to 10.55±3.15 days/month in the first month (p<0.001), 9.31±2.43 days/month in the second month (p<0.001), and increased to 11.97±3.27 days/month in the third month (p<0.001). The mean analgesic intake before BoNTA was 11.48±4.68 tablets/month, while it decreased to 6.53±2.72 tablets/month in the first month (p<0.001) and 5.40±2.46 tablets/month in the second month (p<0.001). In the third month, it was 5.85±2.59 tablets/month (p<0.001). There was a significant increase in pain medication use from the second to the third month (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In our study, there was a significant reduction in analgesic intake and headache days in the first and second months after BoNTA injection, and an increase was observed in the third month.