A comparison of migraine patients with and without allodynic symptoms.
BACKGROUND
Although the association of symptoms of allodynia with migraine have been reported, there is a paucity of studies on Asians.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate allodynic symptoms in migraine patients and its relationship with various clinical variables.


METHODS
Consecutive migraine patients meeting the International Headache Society criteria were evaluated. Frequency, duration of illness, precipitating factors and severity of headache, associated symptoms, and functional disability were noted. Presence of allodynic symptoms and its distribution were recorded and correlated with demographic and clinical variables.


RESULTS
One hundred eighty-two consecutive patients with migraine without aura were included. Mean age was 30.7 years and 51 of the patients were males. Allodynic symptoms were present in 57.1%, which were triggered by various stimuli. In majority of patients, allodynic symptoms were induced by multiple stimuli. Symptoms of allodynia were restricted to the initial site of headache in 32.7%, holocranial in 46.2% and cephalic and extracephalic in 21.1% patients. Duration, frequency of migraine attacks, and functional disability were significantly associated with allodynic symptoms. Rizatriptan resulted in better relief of headache at 2 hours compared with ibuprofen in allodynic patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Allodynic symptoms occurred in 57.1% patients with migraine. In allodynic patients with moderate-to-severe headache, rizatriptan resulted in greater pain relief compared with ibuprofen. These results need further confirmation in larger study.
Kalita
Jayantee
J
Department of Neurology, Sanjay Gandhi PGIMS, Lucknow, India. jayanteek@yahoo.com
Yadav
Rama Kant
RK
Misra
Usha Kant
UK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D044466:Asian People; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014230:Triazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014363:Tryptamines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D014230:Triazoles; D014363:Tryptamines; C093622:rizatriptan; D007052:Ibuprofen