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Objective To investigate the patient satisfaction with medications commonly used for migraine therapy in patients seen in headache clinic in China with emphasis on the evaluation of Chinese patent medicine ( CPM) in relieving acute migraine attack. Methods Patients admitted at headache clinics in the neurological departments of four hospitals during April to October 2011 were enrolled in the investigation. The questionnaire was designed based on the validation of a diagnostic questionnaire for a population-based survey in China in 2009. Results Among 219 eligible patients, 58% had used CPM at the acute attack of migraine while the guideline-recommended treatments were seldom used. However, patients using CPMs were less satisfied than those using Western Medicines ( WMs) in either single medication groups or mixed medication groups ( P < 0.05). Conclusion Fifty-eight percent of the eligible respondents in Guangdong and Guangxi Province had used CPM at the acute attack of migraine, but based on our data, the effect of CPM on treating migraine attack was poor with low satisfaction compared with WMs. However, many factors may bias or explain our findings. This suggests the need for accelerated research in understanding patient choice, treatment availability, and use of medications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. The objective of this study was to observe the efficacy, safety, and side effects of a combination of flunarizine plus topiramate compared with either flunarizine and or toparamate alone for migraine prophylaxis. Methods. Out of 150 patients with migraine recruited into the study and randomly assigned to one of three conditions, 126 completed the trial in their group: flunarizine (39), topiramate (44), and flunarizine plus topiramate (43). Patient information was assessed at enrollment and at follow-up visits at the end of months 1-3, 6, 9, and 12. The primary measure of efficacy reduction in mean monthly migraine frequency of at least 50% as compared with baseline. Secondary efficacy parameters included reduction in mean monthly migraine days and severity of headache. Side effects were compared in the three groups by recording adverse reactions and weight changes. Results. The proportion whose monthly headache frequency decreased more than 50% was 66.7% (26/39) in the flunarizine group, 72.7% (32/44) in the topiramate group and 76.7% (33/43) in the combination group, respectively ( P = 0.593). The mean monthly days and severity of headache in the three groups also declined and was more significant in the flunarizine plus topiramate group than in the flunarizine group and the topiramate group ( P < 0.05). In the flunarizine group, the average weight change was 0.6 kg. Topiramate was associated with a mean weight loss was of −0.9 kg in the topiramate group and −0.2 kg in the flunarizine plus topiramate group. Conclusion. Flunarizine, topiramate, and the combination of flunarizine with topiramate are all effective and have good tolerability in migraine prophylaxis. Adding topiramate to flunarizine may reduce the latter's impact on body weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) at high altitude is not known. We conducted a population-based survey in Tibet to identify the prevalence and associated risk factors of CKD in subjects living at altitudes of > 3500 m.Methods. One thousand two hundred and eighty-nine Tibetans (≥ 18 years) from four districts of Lhasa city (altitude 3658 m) and eight villages of Dangxiong County (altitude 4200 m) were interviewed and tested for haematuria, albuminuria and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).Results. The adjusted prevalence of hypertension, albuminuria, haematuria and reduced eGFR were 38.8% (95% CI: 36.2–41.5%), 16.2% (95% CI: 14.1–18.2%), 3.9% (95% CI: 2.8–4.9%) and 2.1% (95% CI: 1.3–2.9%), respectively. Both the presence of hypertension and the presence of albuminuria were strongly and independently associated with hyperuricaemia and elevated haematocrit.Conclusions. This is the first population-based epidemiological study of CKD in the Tibetan population. We found a higher prevalence of CKD and associated high prevalence of albuminuria, hypertension, hyperuricaemia and high haematocrit in the Tibetan population. The present study indicates the urgent need to develop comprehensive strategies targeted at reducing the CKD burden in this area and may lead to a better understanding of CKD in high-altitude populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]