C L Rozell1, W L Sibbitt, W M Brooks. 1. Department of Neurology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether migraine in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with accentuated brain injury and disease activity. METHODS: Forty SLE patients (11 without headache, 11 with non-migraine headache, and 18 with migraine) underwent clinical evaluation, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and spectroscopy (MRS). RESULTS: Recurrent headache occurred in 75% of SLE patients. MRI abnormalities and reduced N-acetylaspartate were common. However, migraine in SLE was not associated with increased disease activity or severity, neuropsychiatric manifestations, or end-organ involvement compared to patients without migraine (p > 0.05). There were no differences in the prevalence or severity of MRI or MRS abnormalities between SLE patients with migraine, with non-migraine headache, or without headache (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Headache does not identify SLE patients at risk for brain injury, increased disease activity, or increased end-organ involvement. Aggressive immunosuppressive therapy for headache alone is not indicated in SLE.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether migraine in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with accentuated brain injury and disease activity. METHODS: Forty SLEpatients (11 without headache, 11 with non-migraineheadache, and 18 with migraine) underwent clinical evaluation, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and spectroscopy (MRS). RESULTS: Recurrent headache occurred in 75% of SLEpatients. MRI abnormalities and reduced N-acetylaspartate were common. However, migraine in SLE was not associated with increased disease activity or severity, neuropsychiatric manifestations, or end-organ involvement compared to patients without migraine (p > 0.05). There were no differences in the prevalence or severity of MRI or MRS abnormalities between SLEpatients with migraine, with non-migraineheadache, or without headache (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Headache does not identify SLEpatients at risk for brain injury, increased disease activity, or increased end-organ involvement. Aggressive immunosuppressive therapy for headache alone is not indicated in SLE.
Authors: Bruno Lessa; Alex Santana; Isabella Lima; José Martônio Almeida; Mittermayer Santiago Journal: Clin Rheumatol Date: 2006-01-26 Impact factor: 2.980