Migraine-related vertigo: diagnostic criteria and prophylactic treatment.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this prospective, observational study was to evaluate the efficacy of migraine pharmacologic prophylaxis on a group of vertiginous patients considered affected by migraine-related vertigo on the basis of precise criteria of inclusion.


METHODS
Fifty-three patients affected by migraine-related vertigo were selected from a cohort of 652 vertiginous patients referred to our Dizziness Unit from March 2001 to June 2005. Inclusion criteria were at least five vertigo attacks occurred in any period of time or dizziness and/or positional vertigo for at least 6 months; migraine, past or present, and/or a family history of migraine and/or motion intolerance; and exclusion of other causes. Patients were submitted to migraine pharmacologic prophylaxis selected on the basis of the characteristics of the patients and of the drug side effects. The efficacy of the treatment was evaluated after 6 months by questionnaire divided into five outcome categories (resolution, substantial control, moderate control, minimal control, no improvement or worsening) and, for the patients with recurrent vertiginous attacks, also reporting the percentage reduction of the attack frequency.


RESULTS
Thirty-six patients completed the study and were submitted to analysis of the results: 10 reported complete resolution of symptoms, 15 substantial control, 7 moderate control, one minimum control and 3 no improvement. Thirty-three of them had recurrent vertigo: 19 reported complete disappearance of the attacks, 8 reduction of the frequency >50%, 5 reduction <50%, and one no reduction.


CONCLUSIONS
Migraine prophylactic treatment shows encouraging results in patients with migraine-related vertigo selected with our criteria of inclusion: 69.3% reported satisfactory control of symptoms (sum of complete resolutions and substantial controls) and 81.8% had at least a 50% reduction of the vertiginous episodes frequency.
Maione
Arturo
A
Department of Otolaryngology, Azienda Ospedaliera of Pordenone, Pordenone, Italy. aeturomaione@libero.it
D000293:Adolescent; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002150:Caloric Tests; D018890:Chemoprevention; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004244:Dizziness / Q000209:etiology; D004433:Earache / Q000209:etiology; D004584:Electronystagmography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000209:etiology; D014717:Vertigo / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers