Abstract
Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) shares many features with migraine headache, including auras, photophobia, and antimigrainous treatment response being traditionally viewed as a migraine variant. Aims. To determine whether CVS is associated with the same disorders as migraine headache, and compare these associations to those in healthy control subjects. Methods. Cross-sectional study of patients utilizing the ODYSA instrument, evaluating the probability of 12 functional/autonomic diagnoses, CVS, migraine, orthostatic intolerance (OI), reflex syncope, interstitial cystitis, Raynaud's syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia, functional abdominal pain, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Control subjects were age-matched gender-matched friends. Patients had to fulfill criteria for CVS or migraine, while control subjects could not. Results. 103 subjects were studied, 21 with CVS, 46 with migraine and 36 healthy controls. CVS and migraine did not differ in the relative frequencies of fibromyalgia, OI, syncope, and functional dyspepsia. However, CVS patients did demonstrate a significantly elevated frequency of CRPS. Conclusions. Although CVS and migraine clearly share many of the same comorbidities, they do differ in one important association, suggesting that they may not be identical in pathophysiology. Since OI is common in CVS, treatment strategies could also target this abnormality.
Highlights
Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a condition characterized by stereotypical episodes of severe nausea and vomiting that last for several hours to several days, with return to baseline health between episodes [1]
Within the 3 groups we examined the following comorbidities: orthostatic intolerance, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome, functional dyspepsia, syncope, and interstitial cystitis
Adult CVS is clearly associated with other dysautonomias such as orthostatic intolerance, fibromyalgia, and complex regional pain
Summary
Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a condition characterized by stereotypical episodes of severe nausea and vomiting that last for several hours to several days, with return to baseline health between episodes [1]. The episodes of vomiting vary in intensity and duration and are associated with pallor, increased salivation, listlessness, anorexia, nausea, retching, abdominal pain, headache, and photophobia. Many of these symptoms are thought to be generated by the autonomic nervous system and they are present in patients with migraine [3]. Abdominal pain may accompany migraine [7] but its clinical significance is unclear. These symptoms may reflect involvement of the autonomic nervous system in migraine and CVS and suggest a common pathogenesis
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
