title: [Evaluation of placebo use in migraine without aura, migraine with aura and episodic tension-type headache acute attacks].
abstract: This study presents an evaluation of placebo response in the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura and episodic tension type headache. We studied patients admitted between March 1st,1997 and November 31st,1999 in two Emergency Room Units. Three groups had been defined, each one with 30 participants: migraine without aura (MWOA), migraine with aura (MWA) and episodic tension-type headache (ETTH). Patients were participating of a randomized study to evaluate efficacy of 4 different drugs; those randomized to receive placebo were included. We evaluated pain and associated symptoms. After one hour of placebo administration, 50% of MWOA patients, 23.3% of MWA and 26.7% of ETTH had presented pain relief. The mean of this relief, evaluated by the numerical pain scale, was 41.6%, 23.1% and 36%, respectively. Use of placebo is essential in evaluating the therapeutic role of drugs used in the treatment of acute headache.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil. marcelo.bigal@universe.com.br
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Bigal
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Bigal
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Bordini
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Speciali
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020325:Migraine with Aura / Q000188:drug therapy; D020326:Migraine without Aura / Q000188:drug therapy; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D015990:Placebo Effect; D018781:Tension-Type Headache / Q000188:drug therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014653:Vascular Headaches / Q000188:drug therapy*