Trending Clinical Topic of the Week (June 8-14): Headache
New treatment options for two different types of headache and an overview of important information about a third type helped make this common condition the top trending clinical topic of the week. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved galcanezumab-gnlm (Emgality), a calcitonin gene-related peptide antagonist, for the treatment of episodic cluster headache in adults. It is the first FDA-approved medication intended to reduce the frequency of episodic cluster headache attacks. In a clinical trial, patients taking galcanezumab experienced 3.5 fewer weekly cluster headache attacks than patients receiving placebo during the 3-week study.
The FDA also recently cleared a noninvasive neuromodulation device for use in patients experiencing acute migraine pain. Nerivio Migra (Theranica) is worn on the upper arm and uses smartphone-controlled electronic pulses for conditioned pain modulation. It is indicated for use in adults who do not have chronic migraine (> 15 days per month). In a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 252 patients, the device demonstrated significant efficacy in relieving pain related to single and multiple attacks.
A recent editorial collaboration between Medscape and the American Headache Society explored a third type of headache. Thunderclap headaches have an abrupt onset and reach maximum intensity within 1 minute and last for at least 5 minutes. The collaboration explored various diagnostic approaches and treatment options for secondary causes of these headaches, which include subarachnoid hemorrhage, found to be the source in 10%-25% of patients. Because headaches are so common, any new information is enthusiastically received. Thus, it's no surprise that headache is this week's top trending clinical topic.
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Cite this: Ryan Syrek. Trending Clinical Topics for June 2019 - Medscape - Jun 28, 2019.
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