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Biomedical subjects

Marc E Lenaerts

Publications and source records attributed to Marc E Lenaerts.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Burden of tension-type headache.

Epidemiology of headache has been the subject of increased attention recently. It appears that the overall human and financial cost of headache is considerable. Moreover, when the comorbidity and indirect implications of headache are taken into account, the result can be staggering. Most of the literature has concentrated on migraine rather than other headache types such as tension-type headache. This article gathers emerging data that give an estimate of some of the aspects of the burden imparted by tension-type headache on society. It also briefly considers some of the factors that could positively influence this challenge of modern medicine.

Cost of Illness↗
PubMed2006

At the crossroads between tension-type headache and fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia syndrome and tension-type headache have multiple clinical features in common, and pathogenic mechanisms partly overlap. Significant differences need to be recognized as well. Studying the correlations of these often comorbid conditions represents a unique opportunity to gain insight into their pathophysiology and that of other chronic pain syndromes, to increase the accuracy of their diagnosis, and to improve the therapeutic armamentarium.

Fibromyalgia↗
PubMed2006

Are the headache guidelines useful in therapeutic decisions for primary care physicians, general neurologists, and headache specialists?

The International Headache Society Classification of Headache Disorders has been widely accepted as the gold standard for classification of headache. Initially a research tool, this classification is now increasingly used in the daily practice of headache medicine. Accurate diagnosis is a prerequisite to planning a therapeutic approach. The three commentaries here discuss the use of this tool in the setting of primary care, general neurology, and subspecialty headache medicine. As the Section Editor, I hope these perspectives are helpful to the reader.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Pharmacoprophylaxis of tension-type headache.

Although tension-type headache typically is not as disabling as migraine, its chronic form may significantly impair patients' functional ability. The pathogenesis of tension-type headache remains largely unknown. Compared with migraine, tension-type headache is the object of much less research. For a number of years, research on headache therapy has vastly emphasized migraine. Even cluster headache, which is far less frequent than tension-type headache, has been subject to more therapeutic trials than tension-type headache. Therefore, it is not surprising that since the advent of studies (as early as 1964) on amitriptyline, which remains a pivotal treatment choice, the number of emerging treatments for this condition remains scarce, even in 2005. This emphasizes the need for renewed interest in this field. However, alternate treatment approaches, such as botulinum toxin injections, albeit controversial, have renewed hopes lately. In addition, recent progress in the understanding of tension-type headache pathophysiology, such as the role of peripheral and central sensitization, has revived interest in the field. This is a review of available, proven, or suspected prophylactic therapies for tension-type headache.

Anti-Anxiety Agents↗
PubMed2004

Alternative therapies for tension-type headache.

Treatment of tension-type headache remains very challenging. In addition to conventional therapies, alternative methods such as physical therapy, acupuncture, and botulinum toxin have been studied. In this article, recent literature is reviewed and discussed and challenges for the evaluation of these approaches are considered. Although the clinical evidence is still incomplete, certain treatments are promising and the active ongoing research hopefully will soon yield more answers. Of note, the specific issue of psychologic therapy is dealt with elsewhere in this issue.

Acupuncture↗
PubMed2004

Posttraumatic Headache.

Posttraumatic headache (PTH) is divided into acute and chronic groups whose management and prognosis are clearly different. Although IHS criteria stipulate that PTH should have an onset within 2 weeks of the trauma, it has been observed that a headache linked to the trauma can start later. PTH can be clinically divided into the following groups: migraine-like headache, tension-type-like headache, cluster-like headache, cervicogenic-like headache, and others. Based on these clinical distinctions, therapy can be administered accordingly. However, the distinction is relative and numerous clinical features may be common to all. There seems to be a weak inverse relationship between the severity of the head trauma and the occurrence of a PTH, especially chronic. A holistic approach is not only useful but it is necessary for a therapeutic success. Early and aggressive treatment and empathy are essential to the patient's improvement. Prompt recognition and treatment of laceration, peripheral nociceptive sources such as cervical joint displacement, vascular factors, may diminish chronicity. Neuromodulation of pain with prophylactic agents is recommended early. Although it is less necessary for the acute PTH, it will be crucial for the chronic form and should be initiated no later than 2 months cut-off time between acute and chronic PTH. Recognition and treatment of psychiatric factors such as depression and anxiety will lessen the risk of chronicity. Analgesic rebound-withdrawal headache commonly is seen in chronic PTH. This must be corrected rapidly because it can protract the headache and render other inappropriate therapeutic measures inefficient.

Journal Article↗