Roy G.Beran, 12 Thomas Street, NSW 2067, Australiaroy.beran@unsw.edu.au
P.J. Spira
Submitted May 05, 2004
We are pleased to respond to the issues raised by Dr Nash regarding
our article. [1]
Dr Nash does not comment on the content of our paper but rather
raises his own views of chronic daily headache (CDH). He presents multi-
tiered hypotheses relating to the importance of fibromyalgia and non-
restoratives sleep in the genesis of CDH. Evidence is not cited for these
views nor for the efficacy of his chosen antidepressants. Were we to
accept that efficacy, it is still unclear whether the benefit relates
specifically to improvement in quality of sleep or modification of alpha
delta sleep patterns. In our paper, we emphasize that in forming our
beliefs regarding therapeutic efficacy of an agent, testing requires
double blind randomized methodology. Dr Nash needs this level of
examination of his hypotheses.
[Please also see Correspondence from Dr. Beran regarding Silberstein
Commentary]
1. Spira PJ, Beran RG. Gabapentin in the prophylaxis of chronic daily
headache. Neurology; 61: 1753-1759.
We are pleased to respond to the issues raised by Dr Nash regarding our article. [1]
Dr Nash does not comment on the content of our paper but rather raises his own views of chronic daily headache (CDH). He presents multi- tiered hypotheses relating to the importance of fibromyalgia and non- restoratives sleep in the genesis of CDH. Evidence is not cited for these views nor for the efficacy of his chosen antidepressants. Were we to accept that efficacy, it is still unclear whether the benefit relates specifically to improvement in quality of sleep or modification of alpha delta sleep patterns. In our paper, we emphasize that in forming our beliefs regarding therapeutic efficacy of an agent, testing requires double blind randomized methodology. Dr Nash needs this level of examination of his hypotheses.
[Please also see Correspondence from Dr. Beran regarding Silberstein Commentary]
1. Spira PJ, Beran RG. Gabapentin in the prophylaxis of chronic daily headache. Neurology; 61: 1753-1759.