RESUMEN
Background: Headache disorders, particularly primary headaches like migraine and tension-type headache, still remain underdiagnosed and undertreated despite their high prevalence and significant impact on quality of life. In recent years, several specific medications targeting key pathways in the pathophysiology of migraine have been developed. Despite this advancement, numerous studies indicate that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and analgesics remain the most commonly used drugs. This study focused on the use of NSAIDs and simple analgesics as acute treatments for migraine among patients at a tertiary headache center. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted at the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico throughout 2022. Data were collected on the type and frequency of headaches, the usage and dosage of NSAIDs and other medications, and changes in their use at follow-up visits. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the efficacy and determinants of NSAID consumption and headache frequency changes. Results: Two hundred and eightythree patients diagnosed with migraine undergoing their first examination at our center were enrolled. Initially, 58.7% of patients used NSAIDs or simple analgesics, which decreased to 46.6% 3 months after, while triptan use increased from 65.1 to 72.8%. Changes in prophylactic therapies were significantly associated with a decrease in NSAID intake (W = 834.000, p = 0.004) and in headache frequency (W = 5960.5, p = 0.003). Specifically, the addition of topiramate or amitriptyline was associated with a reduction in NSAID use and headache frequency. Even pain freedom after the intake of NSAIDs improved from 55.2 to 79.4% of cases at follow-up. Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of appropriate diagnosis and tailored treatment strategies in the management of primary headaches. It underscores the need for specialized care to enhance treatment efficacy and patient outcomes, demonstrating that adjustments in prophylactic therapy can significantly reduce NSAID intake and improve headache care. This reinforces the role of tertiary headache centers in providing specialized care that can adapt treatments to individual patient needs and improve overall headache management.
RESUMEN
We describe the entire process leading to the start-up of a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation center at the Hiwa Cancer Hospital, in the city of Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Iraqi Region. This capacity building project was funded by the Italian Development Cooperation Agency and implemented with the support of the volunteer work of Italian professionals, either physicians, nurses, biologists and technicians. The intervention started in April 2016, was based exclusively on training and coaching on site, that represent a significant innovative approach, and led to a first autologous transplant in June 2016 and to the first allogeneic transplant in October. At the time of reporting, 9 months from the initiation of the project, 18 patients have been transplanted, 15 with an autologous and 3 with an allogeneic graft. The center at the HCH represents the first transplantation center in Kurdistan and the second in wide Iraq. We conclude that international development cooperation may play an important role also in the field of high-technology medicine, and contribute to improved local centers capabilities through country to country scientific exchanges. The methodology to realize this project is innovative, since HSCT experts are brought as volunteers to the center(s) to be started, while traditionally it is the opposite, i.e. the local professionals to be trained are brought to the specialized center(s).