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Raffaelli B, Rubio-Beltrán E, Cho SJ, De Icco R, Labastida-Ramirez A, Onan D, Ornello R, Ruscheweyh R, Waliszewska-Prosół M, Messina R, Puledda F. Health equity, care access and quality in headache - part 2. J Headache Pain 2023; 24:167. [PMID: 38087219 PMCID: PMC10717448 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-023-01699-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Headache disorders are a global public health concern affecting diverse populations. This review examines headache service organizations in low-, middle-, and high-income countries. It addresses global challenges in pharmacological headache treatment, with a focus on safety, tolerability, reproductive and child health, and outlines disparities in accessing innovative treatments worldwide. MAIN BODY Organized headache services are essential due to the wide prevalence and varying severity of headache disorders. The tiered headache service model is globally recognized, although its implementation varies based on financial and workforce considerations. Headache burden affects well-being, causing disability, economic challenges, and work limitations, irrespective of location or income. All nations still require improved diagnosis and treatment, and the majority of countries face obstacles including limited access, awareness, economic barriers, and inadequate health policies. Provided adequate internet availability, telemedicine could help improve health equity by expanding access to headache care, since it can offer patients access to services without lengthy waiting times or extensive travel and can provide healthcare unavailable in underserved areas due to staff shortages. Numerous health disparities restrict global access to many headache medications, especially impacting individuals historically excluded from randomized controlled trials, such as those with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions, as well as pregnant women. Furthermore, despite advancements in researching migraine treatments for young patients, the options for treatment remain limited. Access to headache treatment relies on factors like medication availability, approval, financial coverage, and healthcare provider expertise. Inadequate public awareness leads to neglect by policymakers and undertreatment by patients and healthcare providers. Global access discrepancies are exacerbated by the introduction of novel disease-specific medications, particularly impacting Asian, African, and Latin American nations excluded from clinical trials. While North America and Europe experience broad availability of migraine treatments, the majority of countries worldwide lack access to these therapies. CONCLUSIONS Healthcare disparities, treatment access, and medication availability are concerning issues in headache medicine. Variations in national healthcare systems impact headache management, and costly innovative drugs are widening these gaps. Healthcare practitioners and experts should acknowledge these challenges and work towards minimizing access barriers for equitable global headache care in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Raffaelli
- Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität Zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
- Clinician Scientist Program, Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany.
| | - Eloísa Rubio-Beltrán
- Headache Group, Wolfson SPaRC, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Soo-Jin Cho
- Department of Neurology, Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Hwaseong, Korea
| | - Roberto De Icco
- Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität Zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Headache Science & Neurorehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Alejandro Labastida-Ramirez
- Headache Group, Wolfson SPaRC, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Dilara Onan
- Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Yozgat Bozok University, Yozgat, Türkiye
| | - Raffaele Ornello
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Ruth Ruscheweyh
- Department of Neurology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Migraine and Headache Society, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Roberta Messina
- Neuroimaging Research Unit and Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Puledda
- Headache Group, Wolfson SPaRC, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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Hong Y, Kang MK, Moon HS, Kim BK, Cho SJ. Preventive therapy with galcanezumab for two consecutive cluster bouts in patients with episodic cluster headache: an observational multicenter study. J Headache Pain 2023; 24:136. [PMID: 37817084 PMCID: PMC10566025 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-023-01661-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cluster headache is a severe and disabling primary headache disorder. Galcanezumab is a monoclonal antibody against calcitonin gene-related peptide and a preventive therapy for episodic cluster headache. However, the approval and insurance coverage for episodic cluster headache differ in each country. Additionally, the consistency of efficacy of galcanezumab therapy has not yet been evaluated. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of 240 mg of galcanezumab therapy for consecutive cluster bouts in patients with episodic cluster headache. METHODS The study enrolled patients with episodic cluster headache who received two courses of galcanezumab therapy at three university hospitals in Republic of Korea between February 2020 and April 2022. The efficacy and safety of galcanezumab were analyzed by comparing daily headache frequency, the number of headache days, and headache intensity and adverse effects during the one-week period before and the third week after galcanezumab injection for each episode of cluster bouts. Paired t-test was used for comparing repeated data from different episodes of cluster bout. RESULTS Sixteen patients were enrolled in this study. Fourteen patients received galcanezumab therapy for two consecutive cluster bouts. Galcanezumab was administered 24 days and 11 days after the first and second cluster bouts, respectively. The proportion of patients with 50% or more reduction in frequency of daily headache at week 3 from baseline was 86% and 64% during the first and second episodes, respectively. The proportion of patients who received transitional therapy before galcanezumab therapy was higher in the first episode of cluster bout than that in the second episode of cluster bout. No serious adverse reactions or significant differences in adverse effects between cluster bouts were noticed. Two patients received a second galcanezumab therapy during the pre-cluster period, and their cluster periods ended without typical cluster headache attacks 10-60 days after galcanezumab therapy. CONCLUSIONS This exploratory analysis suggests that galcanezumab may be effective as a preventive therapy in subsequent cluster bouts. Patients with episodic cluster headaches who underwent galcanezumab therapy tended to receive a second round of treatment in the early stages of their next cluster bout without transitional therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yooha Hong
- Department of Neurology, Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Keun Jae Bong-gil 7, Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-do, 18450, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi-Kyoung Kang
- Department of Neurology, Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Keun Jae Bong-gil 7, Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-do, 18450, Republic of Korea
| | - Heui-Soo Moon
- Department of Neurology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Byung-Kun Kim
- Departement of Neurology, Nowon Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University School of Medicine, Seoul, 01830, Republic of Korea.
| | - Soo-Jin Cho
- Department of Neurology, Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Keun Jae Bong-gil 7, Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-do, 18450, Republic of Korea.
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Lund NLT, Petersen AS, Fronczek R, Tfelt-Hansen J, Belin AC, Meisingset T, Tronvik E, Steinberg A, Gaul C, Jensen RH. Current treatment options for cluster headache: limitations and the unmet need for better and specific treatments-a consensus article. J Headache Pain 2023; 24:121. [PMID: 37667192 PMCID: PMC10476341 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-023-01660-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM Treatment for cluster headache is currently based on a trial-and-error approach. The available preventive treatment is unspecific and based on few and small studies not adhering to modern standards. Therefore, the authors collaborated to discuss acute and preventive treatment in cluster headache, addressing the unmet need of safe and tolerable preventive medication from the perspectives of people with cluster headache and society, headache specialist and cardiologist. FINDINGS The impact of cluster headache on personal life is substantial. Mean annual direct and indirect costs of cluster headache are more than 11,000 Euros per patient. For acute treatment, the main problems are treatment response, availability, costs and, for triptans, contraindications and the maximum use allowed. Intermediate treatment with steroids and greater occipital nerve blocks are effective but cannot be used continuously. Preventive treatment is sparsely studied and overall limited by relatively low efficacy and side effects. Neurostimulation is a relevant option for treatment-refractory chronic patients. From a cardiologist's perspective use of verapamil and triptans may be worrisome and regular follow-up is essential when using verapamil and lithium. CONCLUSION We find that there is a great and unmet need to pursue novel and targeted preventive modalities to suppress the horrific pain attacks for people with cluster headache.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunu Laura Timotheussen Lund
- Danish Headache Center, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet-Glostrup, Valdemar Hansens Vej 5, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark.
- Department of Neurology, Sjællands Universitetshospital Roskilde, Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - Anja Sofie Petersen
- Danish Headache Center, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet-Glostrup, Valdemar Hansens Vej 5, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Rolf Fronczek
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederlands (SEIN), Sleep-Wake Centre, Heemstede, The Netherlands
| | - Jacob Tfelt-Hansen
- Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andrea Carmine Belin
- Centre for Cluster Headache, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tore Meisingset
- Norwegian Advisory Unit On Headaches, St. Olav University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
- NorHEAD, Norwegian Headache Research Centre, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Erling Tronvik
- Norwegian Advisory Unit On Headaches, St. Olav University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
- NorHEAD, Norwegian Headache Research Centre, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Anna Steinberg
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Charly Gaul
- Charly Gaul, Headache Center, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Rigmor Højland Jensen
- Danish Headache Center, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet-Glostrup, Valdemar Hansens Vej 5, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark
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Peng KP, Burish MJ. Management of cluster headache: Treatments and their mechanisms. Cephalalgia 2023; 43:3331024231196808. [PMID: 37652457 DOI: 10.1177/03331024231196808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The management of cluster headache is similar to that of other primary headache disorders and can be broadly divided into acute and preventive treatments. Acute treatments for cluster headache are primarily delivered via rapid, non-oral routes (such as inhalation, nasal, or subcutaneous) while preventives include a variety of unrelated treatments such as corticosteroids, verapamil, and galcanezumab. Neuromodulation is becoming an increasingly popular option, both non-invasively such as vagus nerve stimulation when medical treatment is contraindicated or side effects are intolerable, and invasively such as occipital nerve stimulation when medical treatment is ineffective. Clinically, this collection of treatment types provides a range of options for the informed clinician. Scientifically, this collection provides important insights into disease mechanisms. METHODS Two authors performed independent narrative reviews of the literature on guideline recommendations, clinical trials, real-world data, and mechanistic studies. RESULTS Cluster headache is treated with acute treatments, bridge treatments, and preventive treatments. Common first-line treatments include subcutaneous sumatriptan and high-flow oxygen as acute treatments, corticosteroids (oral or suboccipital injections) as bridge treatments, and verapamil as a preventive treatment. Some newer acute (non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation) and preventive (galcanezumab) treatments have excellent clinical trial data for episodic cluster headache, while other newer treatments (occipital nerve stimulation) have been specifically tested in treatment-refractory chronic cluster headache. Most treatments are suspected to act on the trigeminovascular system, the autonomic system, or the hypothalamus. CONCLUSIONS The first-line treatments have not changed in recent years, but new treatments have provided additional options for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan-Po Peng
- Department of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mark J Burish
- Department of Neurosurgery, UTHealth Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
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Kashiwagi K, Katsuki M, Kawamura S, Tachikawa S, Ono A, Koh A. Fremanezumab and Non-High-Dose Galcanezumab for Comorbid Cluster Headache in Patients with Migraine: Three Cases. Neurol Int 2023; 15:318-324. [PMID: 36976663 PMCID: PMC10057600 DOI: 10.3390/neurolint15010020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
A new treatment option for cluster headache (CH) prevention is needed. Monoclonal antibodies (mABs) against calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) ligands are used as a preventative treatment for migraine. Considering the CGRP’s role in the CH attack’s ignition and upkeep, fremanezumab and galcanezumab have been evaluated for CH preventative treatment. However, only high-dose (300 mg) galcanezumab has been approved for episodic CH prevention. We herein report three cases of migraine and comorbid CH with previous failures of preventive treatments. Two cases were treated with fremanezumab and one with non-high-dose galcanezumab. All three cases showed good results, not only for migraine, but also for CH attacks. This report suggests the efficacy of CGRP-mABs for CH prevention. Our cases differed from cases in the phase 3 trials of CGRP-mABs for CH prevention in two ways: first, our patients had both migraine and comorbid CH, and second, we used a combination of CGRP-mABs with preventative drugs, such as verapamil and/or prednisolone, to treat CH. Future accumulation of real-world data may prove the efficacy of CGRP-mABs for CH prevention.
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