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Otalgia associated with migraine

Teixido M, Seymour P, Kung B, Lazar S, Sabra O

Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology, 2011

26 participants

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of otalgia and migraine.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective survey with evaluation of otalgia response to migraine treatment. Only patients with minimum symptom duration of 3 months, who accepted migraine treatment and had a minimum follow-up of 3 months, were included.

SETTING: Single neurotology practice.

SUBJECTS: All patients with otalgia in whom other causes of otalgia had been excluded and who were treated with migraine therapies.

INTERVENTION: Standard first-line abortive and prophylactic migraine therapies.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Specific clinical data, as well as pretreatment and posttreatment severity scores, were gathered. Response to treatment was assessed by comparing pretreatment and posttreatment symptom scores using paired t test.

RESULTS: A total of 26 patients were included. Ninety-two percent responded to migraine therapy with improved symptom frequency, severity, and duration (p < 0.001). Median duration of symptoms was 5 years. Mean delay to response was 2.3 weeks, and mean follow-up was 20 months. Otalgia was the chief complaint in 77%. Pain was dull in 35%, sharp in 19%, throbbing in 19%, and mixed in 27%. Sixty-five percent demonstrated triggerability of otalgia. A total of 65% had International Headache Society migraine. Patients responded to many classes of migraine preventive and abortive medications.

CONCLUSION: Otalgia of unclear cause can be related to migraine mechanisms. Our group showed a high prevalence of…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 26 participants or records.

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