Rapid Reference to Migraine

Rapid Reference to Migraine will provide the reader with authoritative and accessible information from a clinical expert in the field, to assist with treatment decisions.

Each title in the Rapid Reference series covers diagnosis, prevention, treatment and management of the disease area. They also contain drug listings, clinical trial information, future developments, FAQs and website listings to keep the reader up to date with the disease area.

With patients becoming better informed about the nature and management of their conditions, Rapid Reference is a timely new series that offers doctors easy access to the best information for patient care and management.
Key Features

* Expert information succinctly written for ease of use.
* Abundant use of bulleted lists and short tables, for quick access to comparative information.
* Presents evidence-based sources for practice where available, either through research or best-practice guidelines.
* Asked Questions chapter helps practitioners prepare for patient visits and provide better patient care.
* Drugs appendix lists available drugs, with contraindications and side effects.
* Useful addresses and websites appendix provide additional resources for both the physician and patient.

Table of Contents

Introduction and background
· Introduction to headache in primary care
· Headaches commonly encountered in primary care
Migraine
Tension-type headache
Short, sharp headaches
Cluster headache
Sinus headache and other causes of facial pain
Secondary (sinister) headaches
· Introduction to migraine
Migraine sub-types

Definition and epidemiology
· The natural history (five phases) of a migraine attack
Prodrome, aura, headache, resolution, recovery
Risk factors and trigger factors
· Epidemiology of migraine
Incidence and prevalence
Effect of gender, race, income and other social and demographic factors
· Burden of illness due to migraine
Burden to the patient (symptomatology, disability, quality of life)
Burden to society (direct and indirect costs of care)
· Aetiology
Genetic factors
Neurovascular hypothesis

Diagnosis
· IHS criteria
Criteria for use in primary care
· Differential diagnosis of migraine from other headache disorders

Management of migraine
· The current status of migraine management in primary care
Under-consultation, under-diagnosis and under-treatment
· Management guidelines for migraine
Introduction to MIPCA, US Headache Consortium and US Primary Care Net guidelines
General principles of management
Patient counselling and buy-in
Careful diagnosis
Assessment of migraine impact
Production of an individualized treatment plan
Follow-up
Current 'hot topics' of management
· Is a diagnosis essential?
· Early versus late treatment
· Necessity for new guidelines
· Management of chronic daily headache

Migraine treatment
· Introduction
When to use acute and prophylactic medications
Use of evidence-based medicine versus the 'real world' situation
· Acute treatments for migraine
Analgesics and analgesic combinations
Efficacy and side effect profiles
Ergotamine and DHE
Efficacy and side effect profiles
Triptans
Mode of action
Available triptans and formulations
· Efficacy and side effect profiles
· Comparison of the triptans, based on available evidence
Other acute medications that are available in certain countries only (e.g. Stadol in USA)
Recommendations for the choice of medication and how to use it
· Prophylactic treatments for migraine
Beta-blockers
5-HT2 antagonists
Tricyclic antidepressants and SSRIs
Sodium valproate
Over-the-counter prophylactics (vitamin B2, magnesium, feverfew and aspirin)
Other acute medications that are available in certain countries only (e.g. calcium antagonists)
Recommendations for the choice of medication and how to use it
· Non-pharmacological treatments for migraine
Biofeedback and relaxation
Acupuncture
Homeopathy
· Treatment for chronic daily headache

Management of migraine in the primary care setting
· Overall summary of the previous two sections
· Role of the patient, pharmacist, nurse, GP and specialist

Frequently asked questions
· By the GP to the specialist
· By the patient to the GP

Future developments in migraine management

References

Appendices
· List of available drugs and contraindications, side effects, cost implications
· Useful addresses and websites for the GP and the patient
Professional societies and journals
Patient support organizations and charities

Index