Improvement in Quality of Life and Activity Limitations in Migraine Patients after Prophylaxis. A Prospective Longitudinal Multicentre Study

Abstract

Improved health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and reduced activity limitations are prime objectives of migraine therapy, but no data on the effect of preventive treatments on these outcomes are available. We monitored changes in HRQOL using the Short Form 36 (SF-36) and headache-related activity limitations using the Migraine Disability Assessment Score (MIDAS) in 141 consecutive migraine without aura patients on prophylaxis. A total of 102 patients completed the 3-month study. Mean (SD) number of headache days/month dropped from 8.0 (3.7) to 5.0 (2.3) (P < 0.001). Mean monthly consumption of acute drugs reduced from 7.4 (3.5) to 4.4 (3.1) (P < 0.001). MIDAS total score reduced (improved) significantly. All SF-36 scale scores increased (improved), most significantly. This first study to assess prospectively the impact of prophylaxis on HRQOL and daily activities in a large series indicates that migraine prophylaxis has the potential to reduce the global burden of migraine on individuals and society.

Guidelines for controlled trials of drugs in migraine: Third edition. A guide for investigators

“…Of increasing importance is the impact of clinical measures on patient-perceived quality of life, performance in daily activities (work and familial-social duties). For examples see (136)(137)(138)(139)(140).…”

Preventive Migraine Treatment

“…Using the SF-36 Health Survey 6 to examine quality of life, studies showed highly statistically significant changes across the range of scores with as little as 6 months of treatment. 7,8 With a migraine-specific quality-of-life assessment, broad improvements of at least moderate size and an effect that persisted over a prolonged period of observation were found across domains. 9 …”

The Effect of Feverfew Cultivated in Iran for the Prophylactic Treatment of Migraine: A Randomized Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial

“…The drugs for migraine prophylaxis are not completely effective or safe (3). The use of complementary preventive treatments has been growing worldwide that can be decrease the frequency and severity of migraine attacks with minimal side effects (5,6).…”