Triptan safety during pregnancy: a Norwegian population registry study

How migraine and its associated treatment impact on pregnancy outcomes: Umbrella review with updated systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Migraine is common in reproductive aged women. Understanding the impact of migraine and associated treatments on pregnancy outcomes remains very important. An umbrella review of systematic reviews, with or without meta-analyses, examined the link between migraine and pregnancy outcomes.

METHODS

We systematically searched Medline, Embase and Cochrane to 27 October 2022. Quality appraisal was carried out using the AMSTAR2 tool. An established framework was used to determine whether included reviews were eligible for update.

RESULTS

Four studies met review criteria. Migraine was reported to be associated with increased odds ratio (OR) of pre-eclampsia, low birth weight and peripartum mental illness (pooled OR = 3.54 (2.24-5.59)). Triptan-exposed women had increased odds of miscarriage compared to women without migraine (pooled OR = 3.54 (2.24-5.59)). In updated meta-analyses, migraine was associated with an increased odds of pre-eclampsia and preterm birth (pooled OR = 2.05 (1.47-2.84) and 1.26 (1.21-1.32) respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Migraine is associated with increased odds of pre-eclampsia, peripartum mental illness and preterm birth. Further investigation of the relationship between migraine and placental abruption, low birth weight and small for gestational age is warranted, as well as the relationship between migraine, triptans and miscarriage risk.Systematic Review Registration: Prospero CRD42022357630.

Safety of drugs used for the treatment of migraine during pregnancy: a narrative review

INTRODUCTION

Migraine is common in females of childbearing age and negatively impacts quality of life. The majority of those with migraine who become pregnant see an improvement in their condition but not all do. Providing evidence-based recommendations for the pharmacological management of migraine in pregnancy is challenging.

AREAS COVERED

This narrative review provides an update on the safety of drugs used for migraine in pregnancy. National and international guidelines on the management of episodic migraine in adults were used to select the drugs of relevance to pregnant women. The final list of drugs was chosen by a pain specialist who categorized them according to drug class and use in acute management or prevention. PubMed was searched from inception to 31st July 2022 for evidence on drug safety.

EXPERT OPINION

Obtaining high-quality drug safety data in pregnant migraineurs is difficult not least because exposing a fetus to research-related risks is often considered unethical. There is reliance on observational studies which often group drugs together and lack specificities pertinent to drug prescribing like timing, dosing and duration. Improved statistical tools, study designs and the creation of international collaborative frameworks are ways to advance knowledge on drug safety in pregnancy.

Headache: pregnancy and breastfeeding Recommendations of the Spanish Society of Neurology's Headache Study Group

INTRODUCTION

Headache is one of the most common neurological complaints, and is most frequent during reproductive age. As a result, we are routinely faced with pregnant or breastfeeding women with this symptom in clinical practice. It is important to know which pharmacological choices are the safest, which should not be used, and when we should suspect secondary headache. To this end, the Spanish Society of Neurology's Headache Study Grouphas prepared a series of consensus recommendations on the diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms that should be followed during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

DEVELOPMENT

This guide was prepared by a group of young neurologists with special interest and experience in headache, in collaboration with the Group's Executive Committee. Recommendations focus on which drugs should be used for the most frequent primary headaches, both during the acute phase and for prevention. The second part addresses when secondary headache should be suspected and which diagnostic tests should be performed in the event of possible secondary headache during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

CONCLUSIONS

We hope this guide will be practical and useful in daily clinical practice and that it will help update and improve understanding of headache management during pregnancy and breastfeeding, enabling physicians to more confidently treat these patients.

Headache: pregnancy and breastfeeding. Recommendations of the Spanish Society of Neurology's Headache Study Group

INTRODUCTION

Headache is one of the most common neurological complaints, and is most frequent during reproductive age. As a result, we are routinely faced with pregnant or breastfeeding women with this symptom in clinical practice. It is important to know which pharmacological choices are the safest, which should not be used, and when we should suspect secondary headache. To this end, the Spanish Society of Neurology's Headache Study Group has prepared a series of consensus recommendations on the diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms that should be followed during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

DEVELOPMENT

This guide was prepared by a group of young neurologists with special interest and experience in headache, in collaboration with the Group's Executive Committee. Recommendations focus on which drugs should be used for the most frequent primary headaches, both during the acute phase and for prevention. The second part addresses when secondary headache should be suspected and which diagnostic tests should be performed in the event of possible secondary headache during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

CONCLUSIONS

We hope this guide will be practical and useful in daily clinical practice and that it will help update and improve understanding of headache management during pregnancy and breastfeeding, enabling physicians to more confidently treat these patients.

Acute neurological conditions during pregnancy and their management: a review

Less vascular resistance, higher vascular permeability and improved cardiac output include anatomical and physiological changes related to pregnancy. These are needed to accommodate an increase in plasma volume and ensure significant organ infusion. Nevertheless, increases in oestrogen levels may lead to an increase in the risk of coagulation and thrombosis. Increased levels of progesterone increase the risk of thrombosis due to vasodilation, vascular stasis and edoema in these situations. The increased resistance in preeclampsia maternal systemic blood arteries can create high blood pressure that can interfere with blood flow in numerous organs (including liver, kidneys, brain and placenta). The risk of issues such as pulmonary edoema, placental abruption, pneumonia of aspiration, renal failure, hepatic failure and stroke in pregnant women is increased by Preeclampsia and eclampsia. Some peripheral neuropathies (carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral facial palsy) and central neurological conditions (seizure, migraine, stroke, epilepsy) may become more common during pregnancy because of the exacerbation of the pre-existing neurologic condition or the onset of neurological disturbance caused by pregnancy physiological changes (such as headache or vascular disorders). During the three trimesters of pregnancy, neurological disorders are both peripheral and central. Therefore, an early and correct diagnosis is required to improve pregnancy care, treatment and perinatal outcomes. The aims of this paper are to identify, define and manage the most prevalent peripheral and centrally occurring neurological disorders in the pregnancy.

Perinatal use of triptans and other drugs for migraine-A nationwide drug utilization study

OBJECTIVE

To characterize nationwide utilization patterns of migraine pharmacotherapy before, during, and after pregnancy in women with triptan use.

METHODS

Population-based data were obtained by linking the Medical Birth Registry of Norway and the Norwegian Prescription Database from 2006 to 2017. We included 22,940 pregnancies among 19,669 women with at least one filled triptan prescription, a proxy for migraine, in the year before pregnancy or during pregnancy. The population was classified into four groups: i) continuers; ii) discontinuers; iii) initiators, and vi) post-partum re-initiators. Participant characteristics and prescription fills for other drugs such as analgesics, antinauseants, and preventive drugs among the groups were examined, along with an array of triptan utilization parameters.

RESULTS

In total, 20.0% of the women were classified as triptan continuers, 54.1% as discontinuers, 8.0% as initiators, and 17.6% as re-initiators. Extended use of triptans (≥15 daily drug doses/month) occurred among 6.9% of the continuers in the first trimester. The top 10% of triptan continuers and initiators accounted for 41% (95% CI: 39.2% - 42.5%) and 33% (95% CI: 30.3% - 35.8%) of the triptan volume, respectively. Triptan continuers and initiators had similar patterns of acute co-medication during pregnancy, but use of preventive drugs was more common among the continuers before, during, and after pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

Among women using triptans before and during pregnancy, one in four continued triptan treatment during pregnancy, and extended triptan use was relatively low. Triptan discontinuation during and in the year after pregnancy was common. Use of other acute migraine treatments was higher among both continuers and initiators of triptans. Women using preventive migraine treatment were most commonly triptan continuers and re-initiators after pregnancy. Prescribing to and counseling of women with migraine should be tailored to the condition severity and their information needs to promote optimal migraine management in pregnancy.

Revised guidelines of the French headache society for the diagnosis and management of migraine in adults. Part 2: Pharmacological treatment

The French Headache Society proposes updated French guidelines for the management of migraine. This article presents the second part of the guidelines, which is focused on the pharmacological treatment of migraine, including both the acute treatment of attacks and the prophylaxis of episodic migraine as well as chronic migraine with and without medication overuse. The specific situations that can be encountered in women with migraine are also discussed, including pregnancy, menstrual migraine, contraception and hormonal replacement therapy.

A systematic review and meta-analyses on the prevalence of pregnancy outcomes in migraine treated patients: a contribution from the IMI2 ConcePTION project

The present study aims to summarize the safety profile of the medications used to treat migraine during pregnancy by performing a systematic review and meta-analyses. The term "migrain*" combined with pregnancy terms were used to search Embase, PubMed, PsychInfo, Scopus, and Web of Science through 31 December 2020. Pooled prevalences of untreated and treated migraine patients were estimated using MetaXL software. Pooled odds ratios (OR) using random effects models were estimated in RevMan 5. All the identified studies assessed medications used to treat acute migraine. The pooled prevalence of adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients prescribed any migraine medication ranged from 0.4% (95% CI 0.2-0.7%) for stillbirth to 12.0% (95%CI 7.8-16.9%) for spontaneous abortions. Among untreated patients with migraine, the pooled prevalence of the assessed pregnancy outcomes ranged from 0.6% (95% CI: 0-1.7%) for stillbirth to 10.4% (95% CI: 8.9-12%) for gestational age < 37 weeks. Given the limited data, it was only possible to perform OR meta-analyses for triptans. The adjusted ORs for triptan users compared the general population were: for major malformations 1.07 (95%CI: 0.83-1.39, p = 0.60); birth weight < 2500g 1.18 (95%CI: 0.94-1.48, p = 0.16); gestational age < 37 weeks 1.49 (95% CI: 0.37-6.08, p = 0.58). In conclusion, triptans do not appear to increase the risk of pregnancy outcomes when compared to the general population. It was not possible to assess other migraine medications. Further studies are needed to investigate the safety of individual medications of acute and prophylactic migraine treatment among pregnant women.

Management of primary headaches during pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeeding: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Primary headaches (migraine, tension headache, cluster headache, and other trigeminal autonomic cephalgias) are common in pregnancy and postpartum. It is unclear how to best and most safely manage them.

OBJECTIVE

We conducted a systematic review (SR) of interventions to prevent or treat primary headaches in women who are pregnant, attempting to become pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding.

METHODS

We searched Medline, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov, Cochrane Database of SRs, and Epistemonikos for primary studies of pregnant women with primary headache and existing SRs of harms in pregnant women regardless of indication. No date or language restrictions were applied. We assessed strength of evidence (SoE) using standard methods.

RESULTS

We screened 8549 citations for studies and 2788 citations for SRs. Sixteen studies (mostly high risk of bias) comprising 14,185 patients (total) and 26 SRs met the criteria. For prevention, we found no evidence addressing effectiveness. Antiepileptics, venlafaxine, tricyclic antidepressants, benzodiazepines, β-blockers, prednisolone, and oral magnesium may be associated with fetal/child adverse effects, but calcium channel blockers and antihistamines may not be (1 single-group study and 11 SRs; low-to-moderate SoE). For treatment, combination metoclopramide and diphenhydramine may be more effective than codeine for migraine or tension headache (1 randomized controlled trial; low SoE). Triptans may not be associated with fetal/child adverse effects (8 nonrandomized comparative studies; low SoE). Acetaminophen, prednisolone, indomethacin, ondansetron, antipsychotics, and intravenous magnesium may be associated with fetal/child adverse effects, but low-dose aspirin may not be (indirect evidence; low-to-moderate SoE). We found insufficient evidence regarding non-pharmacologic treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

For prevention of primary headache, calcium channel blockers and antihistamines may not be associated with fetal/child adverse effects. For treatment, combination metoclopramide and diphenhydramine may be more effective than codeine. Triptans and low-dose aspirin may not be associated with fetal/child adverse effects. Future research should identify effective and safe interventions in pregnancy and postpartum.

Headaches during pregnancy

Headache during pregnancy is frequent and challenging. A secondary headache is diagnosed in one third of women, and most causes are vascular and infectious disorders. Anamnestic and clinical features must be investigated, and brain imaging is often required. Primary headaches are commonly modified during pregnancy. Migraine is mainly improved in this context, especially migraine without aura. Particular cautions about treatment must be applied, and non-pharmacological measures must be preferred. Tension-type headache and cluster headache seem to be less hormone-dependent.

[Migraine in women: clinical and therapeutical aspects]

Migraine is one of the most common neurological disorders, affecting women. Physiological changes in the hormonal status can modulate the functional status of pain and analgesic systems of the brain and, by involving different pathophysiological mechanisms, change the course of migraine. In addition to an analysis of epidemiological data, the review provides current views on the clinical features of the disease in women population at different periods of life, particular attention was focused on menstrual migraine. It has certain features, such as acute and long attacks and treatment difficulties. One of main issues is the use of oral contraceptives in women with migraine according to the ratio of potential benefit to cardiovascular risk. The problems of treatment headaches in pregnant and breastfeeding women are also considered. An influence of migraine on the course and outcome of pregnancy was shown. The authors analysed the results of the studies on the course of migraine during perimenopause and postmenopause and recommendations for women with migraine attacks and climacteric syndrome. The data presented in the review are useful for clinicians, because this information represents new views on pathogenetic mechanisms, clinical features and treatment of migraine in women.

Serotonin-estrogen interactions: What can we learn from pregnancy?

We have reviewed the scientific literature related to four diseases in which to serotonin (5-HT) is involved in the etiology, herein named 5-HT-linked diseases, and whose prevalence is influenced by estrogenic status: depression, migraine, irritable bowel syndrome and eating disorders. These diseases all have in common a sex-dimorphic prevalence, with women more frequently affected than men. The co-occurrence between these 5-HT-linked diseases suggests that they have common physiopathological mechanisms. In most 5-HT-linked diseases (except for anorexia nervosa and irritable bowel syndrome), a decrease in the serotonergic tone is observed and estrogens are thought to contribute to the improvement of symptoms by stimulating the serotonergic system. Human pregnancy is characterized by a unique 5-HT and estrogen synthesis by the placenta. Pregnancy-specific disorders, such as hyperemesis gravidarum, gestational diabetes mellitus and pre-eclampsia, are associated with a hyperserotonergic state and decreased estrogen levels. Fetal programming of 5-HT-linked diseases is a complex phenomenon that involves notably fetal-sex differences, which suggest the implication of sex steroids. From a mechanistic point of view, we hypothesize that estrogens regulate the serotonergic system, resulting in a protective effect against 5-HT-linked diseases, but that, in turn, 5-HT affects estrogen synthesis in an attempt to retrieve homeostasis. These two processes (5-HT and estrogen biosynthesis) are crucial for successful pregnancy outcomes, and thus, a disruption of this 5-HT-estrogen relationship may explain pregnancy-specific pathologies or pregnancy complications associated with 5-HT-linked diseases.

Migraine Treatment in Pregnant Women Presenting to Acute Care: A Retrospective Observational Study

OBJECTIVE

To assess the acute treatment of pregnant women presenting to a hospital with migraine.

BACKGROUND

Migraine is a common problem in pregnancy; however, migraine treatment is challenging in pregnant women for fears of medication teratogenicity and lack of data in this population. To date, no study has directly explored physician practices for treatment of acute migraine in pregnant women.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective chart review of medication administration for pregnant women who presented to an acute care setting with a migraine attack and received neurology consultation between 2009 and 2014.

RESULTS

We identified 72 pregnant women with migraine who were treated with pain medications. Fifty-one percent (37/72) were in the third trimester of pregnancy, 39% (28/72) in the second trimester, and 10% (7/72) in the first trimester. Thirty-two percent (23/72) had not tried any acute medications at home before coming to the hospital, and 47% (34/72) presented in status migrainosus. Patients received treatment in the hospital for a median of 23 hours (interquartile range = 5-45 hours). The most common medications prescribed were metoclopramide in 74% (53/72) of patients (95% confidence interval [CI] 62-82%) and acetaminophen in 69% (50/72) of patients (95% CI 58-79%). Metoclopramide was administered along with diphenhydramine in 81% (44/53) of patients (95% CI 71-91%). Acetaminophen was the most frequent medicine administered first (53%, 38/72). Patients were often treated with butalbital (35%, 25/72) or opioids (30%, 22/72), which were used as second- or third-line treatments in 29% of patients (20/72). Thirty-eight percent (27/72) received an intravenous (IV) fluid bolus, 24% received IV magnesium (17/72), and 6% (4/72) had peripheral nerve blocks performed.

CONCLUSIONS

While the majority of pregnant women with acute migraine received medications considered relatively safe in pregnancy, there was variation in treatment choice and sequence. Some acute medications considered potentially hazardous for fetal health and less effective for migraine (opioids and butalbital) were used frequently, whereas other treatments that may have low teratogenic risk (nerve blocks, IV fluid boluses, and triptans) were used less or not at all. These results indicate a need for developing guidelines and protocols to standardize acute treatment of migraine in pregnancy.

Headache and pregnancy: a systematic review

This systematic review summarizes the existing data on headache and pregnancy with a scope on clinical headache phenotypes, treatment of headaches in pregnancy and effects of headache medications on the child during pregnancy and breastfeeding, headache related complications, and diagnostics of headache in pregnancy. Headache during pregnancy can be both primary and secondary, and in the last case can be a symptom of a life-threatening condition. The most common secondary headaches are stroke, cerebral venous thrombosis, subarachnoid hemorrhage, pituitary tumor, choriocarcinoma, eclampsia, preeclampsia, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome. Migraine is a risk factor for pregnancy complications, particularly vascular events. Data regarding other primary headache conditions are still scarce. Early diagnostics of the disease manifested by headache is important for mother and fetus life. It is especially important to identify “red flag symptoms” suggesting that headache is a symptom of a serious disease. In order to exclude a secondary headache additional studies can be necessary: electroencephalography, ultrasound of the vessels of the head and neck, brain MRI and MR angiography with contrast ophthalmoscopy and lumbar puncture. During pregnancy and breastfeeding the preferred therapeutic strategy for the treatment of primary headaches should always be a non-pharmacological one. Treatment should not be postponed as an undermanaged headache can lead to stress, sleep deprivation, depression and poor nutritional intake that in turn can have negative consequences for both mother and baby. Therefore, if non-pharmacological interventions seem inadequate, a well-considered choice should be made concerning the use of medication, taking into account all the benefits and possible risks.

Pregnancy outcome after anti-migraine triptan use: A prospective observational cohort study

Objective

The objective of our study is to assess the impact of triptan exposure on pregnancy outcome.

Methods

We performed a prospective observational cohort study with 432 pregnant women exposed to triptans and enrolled by the German Embryotox system. Pregnancy outcomes were compared with a migraine and a non-migraine comparison cohort. Primary objectives were major birth defects and spontaneous abortion; secondary endpoints were preterm delivery, birth weight, pregnancy complications and the rate of electively terminated pregnancies.

Results

Compared to a non-migraine cohort the rates of major birth defects (ORadj 0.84; 95% CI 0.4–1.9), spontaneous abortions (ORadj 1.20; 95% CI 0.9–1.7), preterm delivery (ORadj 1.01; 95% CI 0.7–1.5), and preeclampsia (ORadj 1.33; 95% CI 0.7–2.5) were not increased in triptan-exposed pregnancies.

Conclusions

Our findings support the evidence that triptans are not major teratogens. When compellingly needed during pregnancy, sumatriptan as the best studied triptan appears an acceptable treatment option. A detailed fetal ultrasound should be offered in cases of first trimester exposure to less well-studied triptans. Trial registration number in German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00007660

EUROmediCAT signal detection: an evaluation of selected congenital anomaly-medication associations

AIMS

To evaluate congenital anomaly (CA)-medication exposure associations produced by the new EUROmediCAT signal detection system and determine which require further investigation.

METHODS

Data from 15 EUROCAT registries (1995-2011) with medication exposures at the chemical substance (5th level of Anatomic Therapeutic Chemical classification) and chemical subgroup (4th level) were analysed using a 50% false detection rate. After excluding antiepileptics, antidiabetics, antiasthmatics and SSRIs/psycholeptics already under investigation, 27 associations were evaluated. If evidence for a signal persisted after data validation, a literature review was conducted for prior evidence of human teratogenicity.

RESULTS

Thirteen out of 27 CA-medication exposure signals, based on 389 exposed cases, passed data validation. There was some prior evidence in the literature to support six signals (gastroschisis and levonorgestrel/ethinylestradiol (OR 4.10, 95% CI 1.70-8.53; congenital heart disease/pulmonary valve stenosis and nucleoside/tide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (OR 5.01, 95% CI 1.99-14.20/OR 28.20, 95% CI 4.63-122.24); complete absence of a limb and pregnen (4) derivatives (OR 6.60, 95% CI 1.70-22.93); hypospadias and pregnadien derivatives (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.10-1.76); hypospadias and synthetic ovulation stimulants (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.28-2.70). Antipropulsives produced a signal for syndactyly while the literature revealed a signal for hypospadias. There was no prior evidence to support the remaining six signals involving the ordinary salt combinations, propulsives, bulk-forming laxatives, hydrazinophthalazine derivatives, gonadotropin releasing hormone analogues and selective serotonin agonists.

CONCLUSION

Signals which strengthened prior evidence should be prioritized for further investigation, and independent evidence sought to confirm the remaining signals. Some chance associations are expected and confounding by indication is possible.

Managing Migraine During Pregnancy and Lactation

While over half of women with migraine report improvement during pregnancy, having a history of migraine may increase the chance of negative health outcomes. The state of pregnancy increases the risk of several dangerous secondary headache disorders, especially those associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and providers need to know the red flags to diagnose and treat emergently. Non-pharmacological migraine treatments can be instituted in advance of pregnancy as many are considered the safest options during pregnancy, but understanding the safety of medications and dietary supplements ensures appropriate care for the refractory migraine patient. New controversy exists over the safety of several historically routine and safe migraine treatment options in pregnancy, such as magnesium, acetaminophen, ondansetron, and butalbital. While it is not clear if breastfeeding decreases the postpartum recurrence of migraine, understanding safe treatment options during lactation can allow women to continue breastfeeding while achieving migraine relief.

Cluster Headache: Special Considerations for Treatment of Female Patients of Reproductive Age and Pediatric Patients

Cluster headache is a rare disorder that is more common in adult male patients. It has a unique phenotype of unilateral, severe, to very severe headaches lasting 15 to 180 min with ipsilateral autonomic symptoms. Time to correct diagnosis can be protracted. A number of treatment options exist for the standard cluster headache patient, but special considerations must be made for female patients of reproductive age and pediatric patients. The objective of this article is to explore the current literature pertaining to special considerations in cluster headache management, including treatment of pregnant or breastfeeding patients and pediatric patients.

Pharmacological treatment of migraine during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Migraine affects up to 25% of women of reproductive age. In the majority of these women, migraine improves progressively during pregnancy, but symptoms generally recur shortly after delivery. As suboptimally treated migraine in pregnancy could have negative consequences for both mother and fetus, the primary aim of clinicians should be to provide optimal treatment according to stage of pregnancy, while minimising possible risks related to drug therapy. Nonpharmacological approaches are always first-line treatment, and should also be used to complement any required drug treatment. Paracetamol is the preferred drug for acute treatment throughout pregnancy. If paracetamol is not sufficiently effective, sporadic use of sumatriptan can be considered. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen can also be used under certain circumstances, though their intake in the first and third trimesters is associated with specific risks and contraindications. Preventive treatment should only be considered in the most severe cases. In women contemplating pregnancy, counselling is essential to promote a safe and healthy pregnancy and postpartum period for the mother and child, and should involve a dialogue addressing maternal concerns and expectations about drug treatment. This Review summarizes current evidence of the safety of the most common antimigraine medications during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and provides treatment recommendations for use in clinical practice.

Prenatal Triptan Exposure and Internalising and Externalising Behaviour Problems in 3-Year-Old Children: Results from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Triptans are commonly prescribed for migraine, a pain condition that is highly prevalent in women of childbearing age. No prior studies have investigated associations between exposure to triptans during fetal life and risk of externalising and internalising behaviours in children.

METHODS

This study was set in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort study, a prospective birth cohort. A total of 41,173 live, singleton births without major malformations present at 36-month post-partum follow-up were included in this study; 396 used a triptan during pregnancy, 798 used a triptan prior to pregnancy only, 3291 reported migraine without triptan use, and 36,688 reported no history of migraine or triptan use. Marginal structural models were used to analyse the association between timing of triptan exposure and neurodevelopmental outcome.

RESULTS

Children exposed to triptans during pregnancy had a 1.39-fold increased risk of externalising behaviours compared with those whose mothers used triptans prior to pregnancy only (95% CI 0.97, 1.97), a 1.36-fold increased risk compared with the unmedicated migraine group (95% CI 1.02, 1.81), and a 1.41-fold increased risk compared with the population comparison group (95% CI 1.08, 1.85). The greatest risk was associated with first trimester exposure (RR 1.77, 95% CI 0.98, 3.14). Risk differences were small, ranging from 3-6%.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found an increased risk of clinically relevant externalising behaviours in children with prenatal exposure to triptans, and this risk was highest for first trimester exposure. Absolute risks were small, and the results may be due to confounding by underlying migraine severity.

The Rotterdam Study: 2016 objectives and design update

The Rotterdam Study is a prospective cohort study ongoing since 1990 in the city of Rotterdam in The Netherlands. The study targets cardiovascular, endocrine, hepatic, neurological, ophthalmic, psychiatric, dermatological, otolaryngological, locomotor, and respiratory diseases. As of 2008, 14,926 subjects aged 45 years or over comprise the Rotterdam Study cohort. The findings of the Rotterdam Study have been presented in over 1200 research articles and reports (see www.erasmus-epidemiology.nl/rotterdamstudy ). This article gives the rationale of the study and its design. It also presents a summary of the major findings and an update of the objectives and methods.

Drug therapy in headache

All physicians will encounter patients with headaches. Primary headache disorders are common, and often disabling. This paper reviews the principles of drug therapy in headache in adults, focusing on the three commonest disorders presenting in both primary and secondary care: tension-type headache, migraine and cluster headache. The clinical evidence on the basis of which choices can be made between the currently available drug therapies for acute and preventive treatment of these disorders is presented, and information given on the options available for the emergency parenteral treatment of refractory migraine attacks and cluster headache.

Cost-effectiveness of stimulation of the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) for the treatment of chronic cluster headache: a model-based analysis based on the Pathway CH-1 study

Background

In the recent Pathway CH-1 study, on-demand stimulation of the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) by means of an implantable neurostimulation system was proven to be a safe and effective therapy for the treatment of chronic cluster headache. Our objective was to assess the cost-effectiveness of SPG stimulation in the German healthcare system when compared to medical management.

Methods

Clinical data from the Pathway CH-1 study were used as input for a model-based projection of the cost-effectiveness of SPG stimulation through 5 years. Medical management as the comparator treatment was modeled on the basis of clinical events observed during the baseline period of CH-1. The costs of treatment were derived from a previously published cluster headache costing study and 2014 medication, neurostimulator, and procedure costs. We computed the 5-year incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) in euros per quality-adjusted life year (QALY), with costs and effects discounted at 3 % per year.

Results

SPG stimulation was projected to add 0.325 QALYs over the study period, while adding €889 in cost, resulting in a 5-year ICER of €2,736 per QALY gained. Longer follow-up periods, higher baseline attack frequency, and higher utilization of attack-aborting medications led to overall cost savings. SPG stimulation was found either cost-effective or cost-saving across all scenarios investigated in sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions

Our model-based analysis suggests that SPG stimulation for the treatment of chronic cluster headache, under the assumption of sustained therapy effectiveness, leads to meaningful gains in health-related quality of life and is a cost-effective treatment strategy in the German healthcare system.

Pregnancy outcome following prenatal exposure to triptan medications: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Migraine is a common disorder among women of childbearing age. Triptan medications are effective and commonly used to treat migraines in pregnancy. However, the reproductive safety of this group of drugs has not yet been confirmed. The aim of this study was to determine the reproductive safety of triptan medications by performing a literature review and a meta-analysis.

METHODS

Available publications regarding pregnancy outcomes following prenatal exposure to triptans from 1991 to 2013 were identified and reviewed according to the inclusion criteria. A random-effects meta-analysis model was implemented to combine the available pregnancy outcome data for the exposed and comparison groups.

RESULTS

One case-control study and 5 cohort studies met the inclusion criteria. The included studies provided information on duration of gestation, major congenital malformations, and spontaneous abortions of infants following prenatal triptan exposure. The 6 studies included 4208 infants of women who used sumatriptan or other triptan medications, and 1,466,994 children of women who did not use triptans during pregnancy. No significant increases in rates for major congenital malformations (MCMs), prematurity, or spontaneous abortions were found when comparing the triptan-exposed group to the migraine - no triptans control group (odds ratio [OR] = 0.84 [0.61-1.16]; OR = 0.90 [0.35-2.30]; OR = 1.27 [0.58-2.79], respectively). There were no increased rate of MCMs (OR = 1.18 [0.97-1.44]) or prematurity (OR = 1.16 (0.67-1.99) when the triptan-exposed group was compared with the healthy controls; however, there was a significant increase in the rates of spontaneous abortions (OR = 3.54 [2.24-5.59]). When the migraine no-triptan group was compared with healthy controls, a significant increase in the rates of MCMs was found (OR = 1.41 [1.11-1.80]).

CONCLUSION

The use of triptans during pregnancy does not appear to increase the rates for MCMs or prematurity. The increased rates of spontaneous abortions in the triptan-exposed group and the increased rates of MCM in the migraine no-triptan group require further research.

[Current approaches to treatment of migraine during pregnancy]

Migraine is one of the most common complaints in the majority of pregnant women. Migraine without aura is the most frequent cause of headache. Improvement of this disease is reported in 50-80% of patient. However, about one third of pregnant women have severe prolonged attacks with marked concomitant symptoms and maladaptation that necessarily need treatment. Authors consider the issues of differential diagnosis and principles of management of these patients.

The Generation R Study: Biobank update 2015

The Generation R Study is a population-based prospective cohort study from fetal life until adulthood. The study is designed to identify early environmental and genetic causes and causal pathways leading to normal and abnormal growth, development and health from fetal life, childhood and young adulthood. In total, 9,778 mothers were enrolled in the study. Data collection in children and their parents include questionnaires, interviews, detailed physical and ultrasound examinations, behavioural observations, Magnetic Resonance Imaging and biological samples. Efforts have been conducted for collecting biological samples including blood, hair, faeces, nasal swabs, saliva and urine samples and generating genomics data on DNA, RNA and microbiome. In this paper, we give an update of the collection, processing and storage of these biological samples and available measures. Together with detailed phenotype measurements, these biological samples provide a unique resource for epidemiological studies focused on environmental exposures, genetic and genomic determinants and their interactions in relation to growth, health and development from fetal life onwards.