Does earlier headache response equate to earlier return to functioning in patients suffering from migraine?

This study explored the association between headache response and return to functioning, and identified migraine-associated symptoms related to functional status and acceptability of migraine treatment as reported by patients. Data from migraineurs enrolled in the active arms of a randomized, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled, clinical trial were analysed. The relationships between headache response and functional response, and clinical factors and treatment acceptability were assessed using chi(2) tests of proportions and logistic regressions. A greater proportion of patients with headache response at 0.5 h were functioning at 0.5, 1 and 2 h compared with patients who did not attain a headache response at 0.5 h (P < 0.0001). These patients also were more likely to find their treatment acceptable (P < 0.05). The results suggest a direct temporal relationship among the key determinants of migraine resolution. Rapid headache response is associated with faster return to functioning; rapid headache and functional responses are significant attributes of treatment acceptability.

Asthma self-management: the perspective of children.

This qualitative study explored the knowledge, perceptions, and autonomy of 7- and 12-year-old children relative to the management of their asthma. A total of 32 children with moderate to severe asthma were interviewed using an open-ended drawing interview and a semi-structured interview. The triangulation of results from these two methods revealed developmental differences. Younger children identified medicines by shape, color, or lay terms, relied on adults to manage their asthma, and did not recognize warning symptoms of an attack. Older children mastered biomedical terminology and used medicines independently, although they sometimes asked for the assistance of an adult. All children perceived benefits and non-monetary costs of asthma medicines. However, they lacked understanding of the categories and role of asthma medicines. This study suggests that long-term control and quick-relief metered dose inhalers should be identifiable by consistent color-coding, and that professionals should tailor asthma education and information to children's stages of cognitive development.

Physician over-the-counter drug prescribing patterns: an analysis of the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of physician over-the-counter (OTC) drug prescribing in relation to selected physician, patient, and drug characteristics. DATA SOURCE AND METHODS: Data from the 1990 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, a multistage probability clustered sample, were analyzed. Physician drug utilization was expressed in drug mentions defined as "the physician's entry of a pharmaceutical agent ordered or provided, by any route of administration, for prevention, diagnosis, or treatment." Sampling weights were used to obtain unbiased national estimates. Cross tabulations of the drug prescription status (OTC or prescription [Rx]) with independent variables were performed, overall and by therapeutic class. The overall OTC/Rx ratio (0.11) was used as the cutoff point for distinguishing high- from low-level OTC drug prescribing. RESULTS: In 1990, 9.7% of physician drug mentions were of OTC drugs. Women between 16 and 34 years, Asian/Pacific Islanders, white Hispanics, and African-Americans experienced high OTC drug mentions (OTC/Rx > or = 0.11). After stratification by drug therapeutic class, physicians in general practice, family practice, internal medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, and pediatrics highly mentioned OTC drugs. CONCLUSIONS: OTC drug prescribing by physicians is substantial, and primary care specialties, patient gender, age, and race should be considered by those interested in evaluating OTC drug utilization in the ambulatory care setting.