The objectives of this study were: (1) to assess relative frequency of migraine in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients using the validated self-administered diagnostic questionnaire, and to compare the migraine rates in MS outpatients to age- and gender-matched historical population controls; (2) to compare clinical and radiographic characteristics in MS patients with migraine and headache-free MS patients. We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the demographic profiles, headache features and clinical characteristics of MS patients attending a MS clinic using a questionnaire based on the American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention (AMPP) study. We compared the relative frequency of migraine in MS clinic patients and AMPP cohort. We also compared clinical and radiographic features in MS patients with migraine to an MS control group without headache. Among 204 MS patients, the relative frequency of migraine was threefold higher than in population controls both for women [55.7 vs. 17.1%; prevalence ratio (PR) = 3.26, p < 0.001] and men (18.4 vs. 5.6%; PR = 3.29, p < 0.001). In a series of logistic regression models that controlled for age, gender, disease duration, β-interferon use, and depression, migraine in MS patients was significantly associated (p < 0.01) with trigeminal and occipital neuralgia, facial pain, Lhermitte’s sign, temporomandibular joint pain, non-headache pain and a past history of depression. Migraine status was not significantly associated with disability on patient-derived disability steps scale or T2 lesion burden on brain MRI. Migraine is three-times more common in MS clinic patients than in general population. MS–migraine group was more symptomatic than the MS–no headache group.

Objectives:Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a disorder characterized by immune-mediated accelerated platelet destruction and suppressed platelet production. Low vitamin D levels have been found in several autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, SLE. The mechanisms underlying the link between vitamin D with autoimmunity are not completely understood. No currently available studies about vitamin D status in primary ITP patients. Aim: To evaluate vitamin D levels in patients with primary chronic ITP and compare these levels with normal control subjects and patients with thrombocytopenia due to other non-immune causes Methods: The study included 80 adult subjects, 40 ITP patients (They were segregated into 20 responders and 20 non-responders), 20 cases of thrombocytopenia due to non ITP causes and 20 healthy control subjects. Measurement of serum 25monohydroxyvitamin D was done with ELISA. Results: Vitamin D levels were significantly lower in patients with ITP (range=2-40ng/ml; mean±SD=17.29±10.96 ng/ml) and thrombocytopenia due to non-ITP causes (range=10-40ng/ml; mean±SD=21.05±8.31 ng/ml) in comparison to normal healthy controls (range = 10-65 ng/ml; mean±SD=36.70±16

The association between ulcerative colitis and auto-immune haemolytic anaemia is well described. However, only two cases of auto-immune haemolytic anaemia occurring in association with Crohn's disease have been described in the literature. We report on a third case and discuss the importance of diagnosis and the therapeutic implications of this association.

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