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To identify predictors of quality of life (QoL) in episodic migraine (EM) and chronic migraine (CM), 116 migraineurs were evaluated using the Headache Needs Assessment (HANA). QoL was significantly more impaired in patients with CM. Disability was a predictor of QoL in both EM and CM. Severity of depressive symptoms emerged as a predictor of QoL in CM. QoL was also poorer in women and in those with greater headache intensity and nausea associated with headache in the total sample. The present findings suggest a specific role for depressive symptoms in impaired QoL in CM sufferers.

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Background:The high sensitivities and specificities reported for blood biomarkers as a supportive test in the diagnosis of acute stroke do not correspond with their performance for decision-making in emergency situations. Methods: Seventy-two patients with suspected stroke were recruited: 44 with ischaemic stroke, 17 with haemorrhagic stroke and 11 stroke mimics, as well as a high-risk control group of 79 individuals. Serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S100 calcium binding protein B (S100B) biomarker levels were determined on admission, using immunoassay kits. The sensitivities and specificities of NSE and S100B for distinguishing acute stroke from stroke mimics and high-risk controls were calculated. Results: For cut-off values (NSE ≤14 micrograms per litre and S100B ≤130 nanograms per litre) the sensitivity was 53% and 55% respectively. Specificity was 64 for both versus the stroke mimic group. Specificity was higher (79% and 86% respectively) when calculated on the basis of the control group. Conclusions: This study supports the evidence indicating that serum levels of NSE and S100B do not improve the diagnosis of acute stroke.

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