Characterisation of the management of patients with migraine in the primary care setting in Spain. Analysis of the results of the European My-LIFE anamnesis project

INTRODUCTION

Migraine affects more than 4.5 million people in Spain, resulting in a considerable socioeconomic impact. Although national and international guidelines have been published, the management of patients with migraine, especially those with chronic migraine, is inadequate.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We conducted a survey among 40 primary care (PC) physicians in Spain as part of a European project involving 201 physicians from 5 countries.

RESULTS

Most participants issued diagnoses of episodic migraine and chronic migraine (93% vs 65%); 82.5% indicated that they did not refer these patients to specialists, and 100% of PC physicians stated that they were responsible for patient follow-up. The main tools used in PC for diagnosis and follow-up were clinical interviews, medical histories, and the patient diaries. Our data revealed that the treatments prescribed were not in accordance with the national and international guidelines. Participants who did not refer patients estimated that only 48% of patients received preventive treatment, and that the assessment of efficacy was based on patient perception. Seventy percent of respondents indicated a need for migraine training. Finally, 100% of participants considered that a guide for medical history taking and referral would be essential or useful for the management of migraine in PC.

CONCLUSIONS

The survey results revealed a need for training and guidance in PC to improve the diagnosis and management of patients with migraine, particularly chronic migraine.

New cellular and molecular targets for the treatment of portal hypertension

Portal hypertension (PH) is a common complication of chronic liver disease, and it determines most complications leading to death or liver transplantation in patients with liver cirrhosis. PH results from increased resistance to portal blood flow through the cirrhotic liver. This is caused by two mechanisms: (a) distortion of the liver vascular architecture and (b) hepatic microvascular dysfunction. Increment in hepatic resistance is latterly accompanied by splanchnic vasodilation, which further aggravates PH. Hepatic microvascular dysfunction occurs early in the course of chronic liver disease as a consequence of inflammation and oxidative stress and determines loss of the normal phenotype of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC). The cross-talk between LSEC and hepatic stellate cells induces activation of the latter, which in turn proliferate, migrate and increase collagen deposition around the sinusoids, contributing to fibrogenesis, architectural disruption and angiogenesis. Therapy for PH aims at correcting these pathophysiological abnormalities: liver injury, fibrogenesis, increased hepatic vascular tone and splanchnic vasodilatation. Continuing liver injury may be counteracted specifically by etiological treatments, while architectural disruption and fibrosis can be ameliorated by a variety of anti-fibrogenic drugs and anti-angiogenic strategies. Sinusoidal endothelial dysfunction is ameliorated by statins and other drugs increasing NO availability. Splanchnic hyperemia can be counteracted by non-selective beta-blockers (NSBBs), vasopressin analogs and somatostatin analogs. Future treatment of portal hypertension will evolve to use etiological treatments together with anti-fibrotic agents and/or drugs improving microvascular function in initial stages of cirrhosis (pre-primary prophylaxis), while NSBBs will be added in advanced stages of the disease.