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Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Medical research: why difficult
(Message started by: Bob_Johnson on Jul 7th, 2007, 8:32am)

Title: Medical research: why difficult
Post by Bob_Johnson on Jul 7th, 2007, 8:32am
When Goadsby gave us his brain scans we thought the answer to CH was near at hand. I'm posting these few lines to make the point that, in medical research, confounding factors are often at work to mislead researchers. (These are unexpected, unaccounted for, conditions affecting the research.) (I did a quick search on PubMed and didn't find any hits on CH and social class.) Bottom line: much more to learn before we are home free.
__________________________________

Link Between Migraine and Family Income Among Teens


Susan Jeffrey
Medscape Medical News 2007. © 2007 Medscape




July 6, 2007 — A new study finds that among adolescents from families with no history of migraine, those from low-income households are more likely to have migraine than those from higher-income households.

"This suggests social causation rather than social selection, highlighting the need for exploration of environmental risk factors related to low income and migraine and the search for specific comorbidities and stressors in this group," the researchers, with first author Marcelo E. Bigal, MD, from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, in the Bronx, New York, conclude.

For those with a family history of migraine, household income did not have a significant effect on migraine prevalence, "probably because of the higher biologic predisposition," the authors note.

Their report is published in the July 3 issue of Neurology.

Social Causation vs Social Selection

This relationship between higher migraine prevalence and lower income and education has been observed in adults, the authors write. "The reasons for this relationship have been the subject of much debate, with 2 major alternative explanations," they write.

The "social-causation" hypothesis suggests that factors associated with low socioeconomic status, such as stress, poor diet, or limited access to medical care, act to increase migraine prevalence, they write. "The opposing social-selection hypothesis suggests that disease-related dysfunction interferes with educational and occupational functioning, which in turn would lead to low income," Dr. Bigal and colleagues write.

Title: Re: Medical research: why difficult
Post by andrewjb on Jul 7th, 2007, 4:59pm
:), given that so little is known of clusterheadache, and after an appointment with prof goadsby, i figured i would  be my own best advocate. this is exactly why this place, [ ch.com ], is so very important, free open diccusion will allow sufferes and supporters to understand this state of being. andrew.

Title: Re: Medical research: why difficult
Post by George_J on Jul 7th, 2007, 7:49pm
Well, research is simply a way to find things out--it represents the best available answer to a specific question that is asked.  The questions and answers are reviewed by others, who may or may not find something wrong with the way the questions were asked or the answers concluded.

More comprehensive answers may come along when more refined questions are asked.

Research isn't holy writ, and there never are "final" answers--just better ones.  But it's really the only way we can learn about things over time.  

Good point about misdirection, Bob--and thank you.

Best,

George

Title: Re: Medical research: why difficult
Post by cyberone on Jul 11th, 2007, 2:52pm
i self diagnosed my self with CH.

but that was after a truck load of research...

when i went to the doctors they told me man things...

im luck that i have awesome insurance....i can go to the doctor as much as i like and get 100% back..

i went to heaps...
75%ish said cluster...

i had kept my mouth shut (on advice from my girlfrien) the whole time...

research is research...

info is info...

ive had as much education as a doctor...(post grad and all)
what makes them different from me when it comes to reading about stuff..

i dont know what im trying to says....lol

the best info is right here....

i cant believe doc withhold o2...

what is with the world...

anyway..




Title: Re: Medical research: why difficult
Post by horsegirl on Jul 11th, 2007, 5:03pm
i just can't figure why docs withhold o2 or some anyway.I know when i asked for it , she looked at me like i was nuts, but i think it was more of a look like, how stupid of you to think that could help. anyway i was wondering is it possible to donate your brain or body  to . i guess for only research on one specific health issue like clusters , because i balieve i would like to.have you heard of this and is there even a research group out there just for clusters?

Title: Re: Medical research: why difficult
Post by horsegirl on Jul 11th, 2007, 5:09pm
this may sound stupid but who is goadspy and why did you think his brain scan would help .I know, and I'm sorry, I'm sure i missed something i should have read already,and the name sounds familar.

Title: Re: Medical research: why difficult
Post by thebbz on Jul 11th, 2007, 5:21pm
Dr. Goadsby is one of the leading research/treatment neurologists and leads the field regarding CH. I would love to scan his brain...but who could afford it.
(just another neuro)...lol
all the best
jb



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