Lifetime prevalence and underdiagnosis of migraine in a population sample of Mexican women

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this report is to evaluate migraine, migraine characteristics, and underdiagnosis of migraine in a large population sample of Mexican women.

METHODS

Participants are part of a prospective cohort of Mexican teachers. Between 2011 and 2013, 77,855 participants completed a detailed questionnaire on headache characteristics. Migraine was defined according to criteria of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICDH-II).

RESULTS

We found lifetime migraine prevalence was 19%, prevalence peaked at 40-44 years (20.4%) and only 45.1% participants with migraine had a previous diagnosis of the disease.

CONCLUSION

Estimated lifetime prevalence of migraine was higher than previous reports in Latin America. Migraine may be underdiagnosed and undertreated in Mexico despite its considerable burden.

Response of thymectomy: clinical and pathological characteristics among seronegative and seropositive myasthenia gravis patients

OBJECTIVE

To identify the response to thymectomy in patients with seronegative and seropositive myasthenia gravis (SPMG). We analyzed the associated diseases, thymus histology, and the severity of symptoms between the two groups. MATERIAL AND METHODS - DESIGN: Descriptive, comparative.

STUDY UNITS

Fourteen patients with seronegative myasthenia gravis (SNMG) and 57 patients with SPMG who had a thymectomy between 1987 and 1997, with at least 3 years of follow-up. The patients were divided into four groups; (1) Remission, (2) Improvement, (3) No change and (4) Deterioration.

RESULTS

Fourteen patients (20%) were seronegative and 57 were seropositive (80%). In the group of patients with SNMG, three patients were in remission (21%), five with improvement (36%), five with no change (36%) and one with worsening (7%). In the group of patients with SPMG, 12 were in remission (21%), 17 with improvement (30%), 25 with no change (44%) and three (5%) with worsening. The patients with SNMG were older, with less associated diseases and with a lower frequency of thymomas.

CONCLUSIONS

The response to thymectomy was similar between the two groups. It has been suggested that seronegative patients have a better prognosis, but our results show no differences.