Marcella Curone

Publications (9)13.38 Total impact

• Source

  Available from: Stefano Omboni

  Article: Frovatriptan versus zolmitriptan for the acute treatment of migraine with aura: a subgroup analysis of a double-blind, randomized, multicenter, Italian study.

  Vincenzo Tullo, Gianni Allais, Marcella Curone, Michel D Ferrari, Stefano Omboni, Chiara Benedetto, Bruno Colombo, Dario Zava, Gennaro Bussone
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  ABSTRACT: Migraine with aura affects ~20-30 % of migraineurs and it is much less common than migraine without aura. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of frovatriptan 2.5 mg and zolmitriptan 2.5 mg in the treatment of migraine with aura. Analysis was carried out in a subset of 18 subjects with migraine with aura (HIS criteria) out of the 107 enrolled in a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, cross-over study. According to the study design, each patient had to treat three episodes of migraine in no more than 3 months with one drug, before switching to the other treatment. The rate of pain-free episodes at 2 h was significantly (p < 0.05) larger under frovatriptan (45.8 %) than under zolmitriptan (16.7 %). Pain free at 4 h, pain relief at 2 and 4 h and recurrent episodes were similar between the two treatments, while sustained pain-free episode was significantly (p < 0.05) more frequent during frovatriptan treatment (33.3 vs. 8.3 % zolmitriptan). Our study suggests that frovatriptan is superior to zolmitriptan in the immediate treatment of patients with migraine with aura, and it is capable of maintaining its acute analgesic effect over 48 h.
  Neurological Sciences 05/2012; 33 Suppl 1:S61-4. · 1.32 Impact Factor
• Article: A longitudinal evaluation of changes in disability and quality of life in a sample of women with migraine.

  Alberto Raggi, Matilde Leonardi, Ambra Giovannetti, Marcella Curone, Gennaro Bussone, Domenico D'Amico
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  ABSTRACT: Migraine's high prevalence, which rises up to 25% among women in the productive age, determines a strong reduction in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and increased disability. Aim of this study is to longitudinally describe disability and HRQoL in a sample of adult women with migraine attending to a specialty centre. HRQoL was measured with the SF-36 and disability with the WHO-DAS II. One-sample t test was used to assess deterioration in disability and HRQoL scales compared to normative scores; effect size was calculated to describe magnitude of change after 3 months. Majority of scales were significantly deteriorated, and changes between baseline and follow-up were negligible to small for most of SF-36 scales, and small to moderate for WHO-DAS II scales. In conclusion, women with migraine showed pervasive deterioration in disability and HRQoL. Wider improvements were observed at follow-up for activities in which relational skills are relevant, while those with a physical component, or that are predominantly performed autonomously, remained almost unchanged.
  Neurological Sciences 05/2011; 32 Suppl 1:S189-91. · 1.32 Impact Factor
• Source

  Available from: Stefano Omboni

  Article: Frovatriptan versus zolmitriptan for the acute treatment of migraine: a double-blind, randomized, multicenter, Italian study.

  Vincenzo Tullo, Gianni Allais, Michel D Ferrari, Marcella Curone, Eliana Mea, Stefano Omboni, Chiara Benedetto, Dario Zava, Gennaro Bussone
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  ABSTRACT: The objective of this study is to assess patients' satisfaction with migraine treatment with frovatriptan (F) or zolmitriptan (Z), by preference questionnaire. 133 subjects with a history of migraine with or without aura (IHS criteria) were randomized to F 2.5 mg or Z 2.5 mg. The study had a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, cross-over design, with each of the two treatment periods lasting no more than 3 months. At the end of the study, patients were asked to assign preference to one of the treatments (primary endpoint). The number of pain-free (PF) and pain-relief (PR) episodes at 2 h, and number of recurrent and sustained pain-free (SPF) episodes within 48 h were the secondary study endpoints. Seventy-seven percent of patients expressed a preference. Average score of preference was 2.9 +/- 1.3 (F) versus 3.0 +/- 1.3 (Z; p = NS). Rate of PF episodes at 2 h was 26% with F and 31% with Z (p = NS). PR episodes at 2 h were 57% for F and 58% for Z (p = NS). Rate of recurrence was 21 (F) and 24% (Z; p = NS). Time to recurrence within 48 h was better for F especially between 4 and 16 h (p < 0.05). SPF episodes were 18 (F) versus 22% (Z; p = NS). Drug-related adverse events were significantly (p < 0.05) less under F (3 vs. 10). In conclusion, our study suggests that F has a similar efficacy of Z, with some advantage as regards tolerability and recurrence.
  Neurological Sciences 06/2010; 31 Suppl 1:S51-4. · 1.32 Impact Factor
• Article: Vagus nerve stimulation in drug-resistant daily chronic migraine with depression: preliminary data.

  Alberto Proietti Cecchini, Eliana Mea, Vincenzo Tullo, Marcella Curone, Angelo Franzini, Giovanni Broggi, Mario Savino, Gennaro Bussone, Massimo Leone
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  ABSTRACT: Drug refractory chronic daily headache (CDH) is a highly disabling condition. CDH is usually regarded as the negative evolution of chronic migraine (CM) and is characterized by high prevalence of psychiatric disorders, especially mood disorders. Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) is an established treatment option for selected patients with medically refractory epilepsy and depression. Neurobiological similarities suggest that VNS could be useful in the treatment of drug-refractory CM associated with depression. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of VNS in patients suffering from drug-refractory CM and depressive disorder. We selected four female patients, mean age 53 (range 43-65 years), suffering from daily headache and drug-refractory CM. Neurological examination and neuroradiological investigations were unremarkable. Exclusion criteria were psychosis, heart and lung diseases. The preliminary results in our small case series support a beneficial effect of chronic VNS on both drug-refractory CM and depression, and suggest this novel treatment as a valid alternative for this otherwise intractable and highly disabling condition.
  Neurological Sciences 05/2009; 30 Suppl 1:S101-4. · 1.32 Impact Factor
• Article: Fatal Aspergillus brain abscess in immunocompetent patient.

  Marcella Curone, Domenico D'Amico, Elio Maccagnano, Gennaro Bussone
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  ABSTRACT: Intracranial aspergillosis is a rare pathologic condition, difficult to treat and often fatal which generally affects immunocompromised hosts. High-dose steroid therapy represents a risk factor for opportunistic infections. We report a case of fatal brain abscess in an immunocompetent patient with a previous diagnosis of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) in whom a high-dose steroid course has probably contributed to the development of the fungal infection. Despite steroids' relative safety, clinicians must remain alert to potential fatal complication that could arise from their use.
  Neurological Sciences 04/2009; 30(3):233-5. · 1.32 Impact Factor
• Article: Sphenopalatine endoscopic ganglion block: a revision of a traditional technique for cluster headache.

  Giovanni Felisati, Flavio Arnone, Paolo Lozza, Massimo Leone, Marcella Curone, Gennaro Bussone
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  ABSTRACT: The diagnosis of chronic cluster headache (CH), the most painful form of headache, is based on typical clinical features characterized by strictly unilateral pain with no side shift and ipsilateral oculofacial autonomic phenomena. The attacks occur several times a day for periods of 1 to 2 months in the episodic form of the disease or less frequently on a daily basis in the chronic form. The pathogenesis of CH involves the activation of parasympathetic nerve structures located within the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG), which explains many of the associated symptoms, whereas the activation of the ipsilateral hypothalamic gray matter may explain its typical circadian and circannual periodicity. A number of surgical approaches have been tried in cases of chronic CH resistant to pharmacologic therapy, of which SPG blockade has been shown to have certain efficacy. We have adopted a new technique based on endoscopic ganglion blockade that approaches the pterigo-palatine fossa by way of the lateral nasal wall and consists of the injection of a mixture of local anesthetics and corticosteroids, which was performed in 20 selected patients with chronic CH, according to the International Headache Society criteria (18 male, 2 female; mean age 40 yr), who were selected for SPG blockade because they were totally drug resistant. The symptoms improved significantly, but always only temporarily, in 11 cases. These results should be considered rather good because, unlike other frequently used techniques, SPG blockade is not invasive and should therefore always be attempted before submitting patients to more invasive surgical approaches.
  The Laryngoscope 09/2006; 116(8):1447-50. · 1.75 Impact Factor
• Source

  Available from: headachehelp.org.au

  Article: Disability pattern in chronic migraine with medication overuse: a comparison with migraine without aura.

  Domenico D'Amico, Licia Grazzi, Susanna Usai, Andrea Rigamonti, Marcella Curone, Gennaro Bussone
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  ABSTRACT: To assess headache-related disability in chronic migraine with medication overuse (CMO), as defined by Silberstein and Lipton (1996, 2001) in comparison to that caused by migraine without aura, investigating similarities and differences in disability patterns in these two conditions. It is well known that migraine has a marked impact on daily activities. Less information is available on the functional consequences of chronic migraine. This was a prospective study on 247 patients with CMO and 264 with migraine without aura. All completed the validated Italian version of the Migraine Disability Assessment questionnaire (MIDAS). The MIDAS total score and scores of each question (investigating total or partial inability to perform different daily activities) were evaluated, and compared in the two groups using the Mann-Whitney rank sum test. We also evaluated the number of missed days (question 1) and days with significantly reduced effectiveness at work (question 2) and in nonwork activities (questions 3, 4, and 5), using descriptive statistics. MIDAS total score in the CMO group was rather high (mean 84.1, median 70) and significantly higher than in the migraine group (mean 23.4, median 19). CMO patients also reported higher scores than migraine patients in MIDAS questions investigating disability in different domains, the differences being highly significant for questions 3, 4, and 5. In both CMO and migraine the number of days with total or significant disability in nonwork activities was higher than the number of days with total or significant disability in work activities, and days spent at work with significantly reduced effectiveness were more than work days missed. Our findings show that CMO has a profound effect on patients' daily functioning. They suggest that differences between CMO and migraine are mainly quantitative, while the two groups are similar in terms of disability pattern. These results are consistent with the fact that CMO may be an evolution of episodic migraine, characterized by increase in headache frequency and more evident disability in performing different daily duties.
  Headache The Journal of Head and Face Pain 06/2005; 45(5):553-60. · 2.52 Impact Factor
• Article: Disability Pattern in Chronic Migraine With Medication Overuse: A Comparison With Migraine Without Aura

  D&apos, Domenico Amico, Licia Grazzi, Susanna Usai, Andrea Rigamonti, Marcella Curone, Gennaro Bussone, Domenico D'Amico
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  ABSTRACT: Objectives.—To assess headache-related disability in chronic migraine with medication overuse (CMO), as defined by Silberstein and Lipton (1996, 2001) in comparison to that caused by migraine without aura, investigating similarities and differences in disability patterns in these two conditions.Background.—It is well known that migraine has a marked impact on daily activities. Less information is available on the functional consequences of chronic migraine.Methods.—This was a prospective study on 247 patients with CMO and 264 with migraine without aura. All completed the validated Italian version of the Migraine Disability Assessment questionnaire (MIDAS). The MIDAS total score and scores of each question (investigating total or partial inability to perform different daily activities) were evaluated, and compared in the two groups using the Mann-Whitney rank sum test. We also evaluated the number of missed days (question 1) and days with significantly reduced effectiveness at work (question 2) and in nonwork activities (questions 3, 4, and 5), using descriptive statistics.Results.—MIDAS total score in the CMO group was rather high (mean 84.1, median 70) and significantly higher than in the migraine group (mean 23.4, median 19). CMO patients also reported higher scores than migraine patients in MIDAS questions investigating disability in different domains, the differences being highly significant for questions 3, 4, and 5. In both CMO and migraine the number of days with total or significant disability in nonwork activities was higher than the number of days with total or significant disability in work activities, and days spent at work with significantly reduced effectiveness were more than work days missed.Conclusions.—Our findings show that CMO has a profound effect on patients' daily functioning. They suggest that differences between CMO and migraine are mainly quantitative, while the two groups are similar in terms of disability pattern. These results are consistent with the fact that CMO may be an evolution of episodic migraine, characterized by increase in headache frequency and more evident disability in performing different daily duties.
  Headache The Journal of Head and Face Pain 04/2005; 45(5):553 - 560. · 2.52 Impact Factor
• Article: The Impact of Primary Headaches on Patients' Lives: Italian Experience with the MIDAS and the SF-36 Questionnaires

  Domenico D'Amico, Susanna Usai, Licia Grazzi, Alessandra Solari, Marcella Curone, Gennaro Bussone
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  ABSTRACT: Objective: Headaches may have a wide range of impact on patients' lives. We report the results of recent studies whose aim was to investigate disability and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with different primary headaches, using standardized instruments. Research design and methods: Patients suffering from migraine without aura, cluster headache or chronic migraine from among those attending a tertiary care unit were studied. The Short Form 36 (SF-36) was used to assess HRQOL; the Migraine Disability Assessment Score questionnaire (MIDAS) was used to assess disability in patients with migraine without aura or with chronic migraine. Main outcome measures: Mean MIDAS total score and distribution of MIDAS grades were evaluated in migraine without aura and chronic migraine patients. The scores at the eight SF-36 scales were calculated in patients with the three studied headaches, and were compared with Italian normative data (Student t -test with Bonferroni correction). Results: The mean MIDAS total score was 23.4 in 264 patients with migraine without aura, and 79.2 in 150 patients with chronic migraine. Most patients (87.3% of the chronic migraine patients; 73% of the migraine without aura patients) showed moderate/severe disability grades. A pervasive effect on HRQL was found in all the three studied headaches. Mean SF-36 scores in migraine without aura (68 subjects), chronic migraine (84), and cluster headache (56) were lower than those from the Italian general population, with significant differences for three scales in migraine without aura, for six in cluster headache, and for all scales in chronic migraine. Conclusions: Primary headaches had a considerable negative impact on patients' lives, with poor quality of life and decreased ability to function in daily duties. A marked personal and social burden was evident in migraine without aura, and also in the less well-studied forms, cluster headache and chronic migraine.
  Headache Care 05/2004; 1(2):123-128.