Onabotulinum toxin A in the treatment of chronic migraine: patient selection and special considerations

Real-World Evaluation of the Tolerability to Onabotulinum Toxin A: The RETO Study

Onabotulinumtoxin A (onabotA) has shown efficacy in chronic migraine (CM), with good tolerability and a low rate of adverse effects, most of them not severe. The aim of this study is to evaluate tolerability and adverse effects of onabotA in clinical practice and to analyze if there is a relationship between tolerability to treatment administration, adverse effects' (AEs) occurrence and clinical response. We included patients with CM that received treatment with onabotA for the first time. Tolerability to treatment was evaluated by a 0-10 numeric rating scale (0: worst possible, 10: optimal tolerability). We assessed the presence of AEs by using a standardized questionnaire. Treatment response was based on the 50 and 75% responder rate between weeks 20 and 24, compared with the baseline, according to headache diaries. We analyzed whether the tolerability was associated with a higher frequency of AEs or a higher probability of clinical response. We included 105 patients, 87.7% female, with an age of 43.9 ± 10.7 years. Mean tolerability was 7.8/10 and 7.2/10 in the first and second onabotA administration, respectively. AEs were reported by (first-second) 71.4-68.6% patients. The percentage of patients with a 50% response was 56.3%. There was no association between tolerability and AEs' occurrence or clinical response.

A novel technique of botulinum toxin injection around skull sutures for chronic migraine: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Background

Migraine is a chronic headache manifested with attacks. Here we aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of 15-point Dysport injection with 31-point Xeomin injections.

Materials and Methods

This is a randomized clinical trial performed in 2020-2021 in Isfahan on patients with refractory chronic migraine. A total number of 60 patients entered the study. The pain of patients was also determined using headache impact test (HIT) questionnaire. Patients were randomized into two groups: Group 1 underwent 31-point Xeomin injection and Group 2 underwent 1 vial of Dysport injection into 15 points of the scalp.

Results

Our study revealed that the data regarding aura, nausea, vomit, photosensitivity, sensitivity to sounds and smells did not change significantly between two groups compared to the beginning of the study. Frequency, duration, intensity of headaches, and the mean HIT score of all patients improved significantly within 3 months after interventions. Comparing both groups showed no significant differences (P > 0.05). HIT score was decreased from 21.26 ± 3.58 before intervention to 15.51 ± 4.58 after 3 months in Group 1 and 22.23 ± 2.59-10.33 ± 2.26 in Group 2. In both groups, these changes were statistically significant (P < 0.001). Although we found more decrease of HIT score in Group 2 comparing with Group 1 (10.33 ± 2.26 vs. 15.51 ± 4.58), this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.12).

Conclusion

Although Xeomin and Dysport injections are both effective and reduced pain in patients with chronic migraine, our new technique is probably better than the standard technique. Because the injection points are halved, increase patients comfort and reduce overall cost.

Response Predictors of Repetitive Neuromuscular Magnetic Stimulation in the Preventive Treatment of Episodic Migraine

Background

Repetitive neuromuscular magnetic stimulation (rNMS) of the trapezius muscles showed beneficial effects in preventing episodic migraine. However, clinical characteristics that predict a favorable response to rNMS are unknown. The objective of this analysis is to identify such predictors.

Methods

Thirty participants with a diagnosis of episodic migraine (mean age: 24.8 ± 4.0 years, 29 females), who were prospectively enrolled in two non-sham-controlled studies evaluating the effects of rNMS were analyzed. In these studies, the interventional stimulation of the bilateral trapezius muscles was applied in six sessions and distributed over two consecutive weeks. Baseline and follow-up assessments included the continuous documentation of a headache calendar over 30 days before and after the stimulation period, the Migraine Disability Assessment Score (MIDAS) questionnaire (before stimulation and 90 days after stimulation), and measurements of pain pressure thresholds (PPTs) above the trapezius muscles by algometry (before and after each stimulation session). Participants were classified as responders based on a ≥25% reduction in the variable of interest (headache frequency, headache intensity, days with analgesic intake, MIDAS score, left-sided PPTs, right-sided PPTs). Post-hoc univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analyses were performed.

Results

Lower headache frequency (P = 0.016) and intensity at baseline (P = 0.015) and a migraine diagnosis without a concurrent tension-type headache component (P = 0.011) were significantly related to a ≥25% reduction in headache frequency. Higher headache frequency (P = 0.052) and intensity at baseline (P = 0.014) were significantly associated with a ≥25% reduction in monthly days with analgesic intake. Lower right-sided PPTs at baseline were significantly related to a ≥25% increase in right-sided PPTs (P = 0.0.015) and left-sided PPTs (P =0.030). Performance of rNMS with higher stimulation intensities was significantly associated with a ≥25% reduction in headache intensity (P = 0.046).

Conclusions

Clinical headache characteristics at baseline, the level of muscular hyperalgesia, and stimulation intensity may inform about how well an individual patient responds to rNMS. These factors may allow an early identification of patients that would most likely benefit from rNMS.

Beyond chronic migraine: a systematic review and expert opinion on the off-label use of botulinum neurotoxin type-A in other primary headache disorders

Introduction: Botulinum neurotoxin type-A (BoNTA) is licensed for the treatment of chronic migraine (CM), but it has been tested off-label as a therapeutic choice in other primary headaches (PHs). We aimed to provide a systematic review and expert opinion on BoNTA use in PHs, beyond CM.Areas covered: After providing an overview on PHs and mechanism of BoNTA action, we report the results of a systematic review, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations, of BoNTA therapeutic trials in PHs beyond CM. Studies and results were reviewed and discussed, and levels of evidence were graded. We also collected data on relevant ongoing trials.Expert opinion: Although there are contradictory findings on PHs other than CM, BoNTA may represent a therapeutic option for patients who do not respond to conventional prophylactic treatments. Based on limited available evidence, BoNTA may be considered in refractory tension-type headache, trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias, primary stabbing headache, nummular headache, hypnic headache, and new daily persistent headache, after the primary nature of cephalalgia has been documented and other drugs have failed. Experienced physicians in BoNTA treatment are required to guide the therapeutic protocol for each patient to optimize good and safe outcomes.

Erenumab in the prevention of high-frequency episodic and chronic migraine: Erenumab in Real Life in Italy (EARLY), the first Italian multicenter, prospective real-life study

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of erenumab in a real-life migraine population, while trying to identify responsiveness predictors.

BACKGROUND

Erenumab is a fully human Ig-2 monoclonal antibody blocking the calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor, indicated for migraine prophylaxis. Phase II and III trials demonstrated that erenumab is effective, safe, and well tolerated in the prevention of episodic and chronic migraine (CM), showing an early onset of action.

METHODS

This is a multicenter, prospective, cohort, and real-life study. We considered for enrolment all consecutive patients aged 18-65 affected by high-frequency episodic migraine (HFEM) or CM, with or without medication overuse, visited at nine Italian Headache Centers from December 20, 2018 to September 30, 2019. Each patient was treated with erenumab 70 mg, administered subcutaneously every 4 weeks. Treatment duration was planned to last from 6 to 12 months, depending on the patient's response. The primary endpoint was the change in monthly migraine days (MMDs) at weeks 9-12 compared to baseline. Secondary endpoints included changes in monthly analgesics intake, ≥50%, ≥75%, and 100% responder rates and any variation in the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Headache Impact Test scores (HIT).

RESULTS

In total, 372 migraine patients were treated with at least one dose of erenumab 70 mg. At weeks 9-12, erenumab decreased MMDs by 4.5 ± 4.1 days (mean ± SD) in patients with HFEM and by 9.3 ± 9.1 (mean ± SD) days in those with CM compared to baseline. At weeks 9-12 VAS score was reduced by 1.9 ± 1.9 (mean ± SD), HIT score by 10.7 ± 8.8 (mean ± SD), and median monthly analgesics intake passed from 12.0 (interquartile range [IQR] 10.0-14.0) to 5.0 (IQR 3.0-7.0) in HFEM. In CM patients, VAS was reduced by 1.7 ± 2.0 (mean ± SD), HIT by 9.7 ± 10.4 (mean ± SD), and median monthly analgesics intake passed from 20.0 (IQR 15.0-30.0) to 8.0 (IQR 5.0-15.0). At week 12, ≥50% responders were 60/101 (59.4%) for HFEM and 146/263 (55.5%) for CM, ≥75% responders were 17/101 (16.8%) and 59/263 (22.4%) and 100% responders 1/101 (1.0%) and 3/263 (1.1%), respectively. Erenumab responsiveness in HFEM was positively associated with unilateral pain localization (OR: 3.03, 95% CI: 1.24-7.40; p = 0.015), whereas in CM responsiveness was positively associated with and baseline migraine frequency (OR: 1.06, 95% CI:1.02-1.11; p = 0.031), dopaminergic symptoms (OR: 2.01, 95% CI: 1.14-3.52; p = 0.015), and negatively associated with psychiatric comorbidities (OR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.20-0.93; p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Erenumab 70 mg is effective, safe, and well tolerated in real life. Easily obtainable clinical features might be of help in predicting patient's responsiveness.

Treatment patterns and medication adherence among newly diagnosed patients with migraine: a drug utilisation study

OBJECTIVES

Prophylactic drugs currently used for migraine treatment are not specific. Furthermore, few studies in existing literature describe drugs utilisation patterns and adherence to migraine prophylactic treatment. This study is aimed to describe utilisation patterns of migraine drugs, evaluate adherence to prophylactic medications and investigate drug-related costs.

DESIGN

Retrospective population-based study using an administrative health-related database.

SETTING

Primary care setting in the Campania region, Southern Italy.

PARTICIPANTS

This study was carried out between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2018, involving 12 894 subjects with any primary or secondary hospital discharge with migraine diagnosis, or at least two medical dispensations of migraine-specific acute or prophylactic medications (triptans or pizotifen). Subjects were classified into four treatment cohorts: no treatment, acute, prophylactic and both acute and prophylactic. Subjects were followed-up for 1 year.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Utilisation patterns of migraine drugs at treatment initiation; adherence to prophylactic treatment; discontinuation, restart and switching rates; annual migraine drug costs per patient.

RESULTS

Overall, 81.1% of subjects received acute treatment as their initial migraine treatment regimen, 10.7% prophylactic treatment, 8.2% both acute and prophylactic treatment. 599 patients were treated prophylactically; of these, 26.2% adhered to their initial treatment while 73.8% reported interruptions in treatment. Among the latter, 46.4% of patients discontinued the treatment completely within 103 days (IQR 89.0), 31% restarted treatment 46 days after interruption (IQR 60.0) and 22.6% switched to another treatment within 98 days (IQR 57.5) (p<0.001). The median annual cost of drugs per patient was €103 for those treated acutely, €75 for those treated prophylactically, €163 for those treated both.

CONCLUSIONS

Migraine treatment with acute medications is still prevalent in Italy; only few patients received prophylactic treatment with poor adherence to treatment. These findings reflect an unmet need for improved prophylactic therapies in order to provide a better disease management.

Wearing Off Response to OnabotulinumtoxinA in Chronic Migraine: Analysis in a Series of 193 Patients

OBJECTIVE

Long-term real-life studies have supported a cumulative effect of OnabotulinumtoxinA (OnabotA) for the prophylactic treatment of chronic migraine (CM) during consecutive cycles, and individual adaptations have been described to improve clinical response.

METHODS

This was a cohort longitudinal retrospective study of consecutive adult patients from the Headache Unit of the Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid and the Hospital Universitario de La Princesa (Madrid) on OnabotA treatment for chronic migraine from May 2012 to December 2017. All patients were followed for 24 weeks. Full-length response to OnabotA was defined as ≥50% reduction in headache days for at least 12 weeks, and wearing off response was defined as a clinical response but with duration shorter than 10 weeks. We have analyzed the incidence and clinical predictors of this wearing off response.

RESULTS

A total of 193 patients were included, of whom 91 (47.1%) were considered full-length responders and 45 (23.3%) wearing off responders. No statistically significant clinical predictors (including demographic variables and baseline headache characteristics) of full-length response or wearing off response were detected in our study. An increase in dose during the second treatment cycle was attempted in 68.9% of the wearing off patients, achieving a longer duration of response of up to 12 weeks in 74.2%.

CONCLUSIONS

Wearing off response to OnabotA during the first treatment cycle is not uncommon in patients with CM. Increasing the dose in subsequent cycles could improve clinical response, but further multicenter long-term studies are needed to establish predictors and solutions to this problem.

Iron Deposits in Periaqueductal Gray Matter Are Associated with Poor Response to OnabotulinumtoxinA in Chronic Migraine

Previous studies have reported increased brain deposits of iron in patients with chronic migraine (CM). This study aims to determine the relation between iron deposits and outcome after treatment with OnabotulinumtoxinA (OnabotA). Demographic and clinical data were collected for this study through a prospective cohort study including 62 CM patients treated with OnabotA in the Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (Spain). Demographic and clinical variables were registered. Selected biomarkers in plasma during interictal periods (calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and pentraxin-3 (PTX3)) and neuroimaging changes (iron deposits in the red nucleus (RN), substantia nigra (SN), globus pallidus (GP), and periaqueductal gray matter (PAG), and white matter lesions (WML)) were determined. Subjects were classified in responders (≥50% reduction in headache days) or non-responders (<50%). Responders to treatment were younger (mean age difference = 12.2; 95% confidence interval (CI): 5.4–18.9, p = 0.001), showed higher serum levels of CGRP (≥50 ng/mL) and PTX3 (≥1000 pg/mL) and smaller iron deposits in the GP and PAG (mean difference = 805.0; 95% CI: 37.9–1572.1 μL, p = 0.040 and mean difference = 69.8; 95% CI: 31.0–108.6 μL, p = 0.008; respectively). Differences in PAG iron deposits remained significant after adjusting for age (mean difference = 65.7; 95% CI: 22.8–108.6 μL, p = 0.003) and were associated with poor response to OnabotA after adjustment for clinical and biochemical variables (odds ratio (OR) = 0.963; 95% CI: 0.927–0.997, p = 0.041). We conclude that larger PAG iron deposits are associated with poor response to OnabotA in CM.

An Evidence-Based Review of Fremanezumab for the Treatment of Migraine

Migraine headache is a common, chronic, debilitating disease with a complex etiology. Current therapy for migraine headache comprises either treatments targeting acute migraine pain or prophylactic therapy aimed at increasing the length of time between migraine episodes. Recent evidence suggests that calcium gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a critical component in the pathogenesis of migraines. Fremanezumab, a monoclonal antibody against CGRP, was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after multiple studies showed that it was well-tolerated, safe, and effective in the treatment of migraines. Further research is needed to elucidate the long-term effects of fremanezumab and CGRP-antagonists in general, and additional data is required in less healthy patients to estimate its effects in these populations and potentially increase the eligible group of recipients. This is a comprehensive review of the current literature on the efficacy and safety of fremanezumab for the treatment of chronic migraine. In this review we provide an update on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and current treatment of migraine, and summarize the evidence for fremanezumab as a treatment for migraine.

Multiple sclerosis and related challenges to young women's health: Canadian expert review

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is among the most common chronic neurological diseases, with a highly variable degree of disability during its long-term course. The majority of patients develop significant permanent disability later in life. MS is often diagnosed in women of childbearing age, with a 3:1 ratio of young women to young men with MS. Comorbidities such as depression, anxiety, migraines and reproductive, urological and bowel issues are common and negatively impact patients' quality of life. The objective of this supplement is to review the most common comorbidities occurring in young women with MS, and to propose a multidisciplinary, holistic approach to management.

Circulating Biomarkers in Migraine: New Opportunities for Precision Medicine

Background:

Migraine is the most common neurological disorder and the second most disabling human condition, whose pathogenesis is favored by a combination of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. In recent years, several efforts have been made to identify reliable biomarker(s) useful to monitor disease activity and/or ascertain the response to a specific treatment.

Objective:

To review the current evidence on the potential biological markers associated with migraine.

Methods:

A structured search of peer-reviewed research literature was performed by searching major publications databases up to December 2017.

Results:

Several circulating biomarkers have been proposed as diagnostic or therapeutic tools in migraine, mostly related to migraine’s inflammatory pathophysiological aspects. Nonetheless, their detection is still a challenge for the scientific community, reflecting, at least in part, disease complexity and clinical diagnostic limitations. At the present time, calcitonin generelated peptide (CGRP) represents probably the most promising candidate as a diagnostic and/or therapeutic biomarker, as its plasma levels are elevated during migraine attack and decrease during successful treatment. Other molecules (including some neuropeptides, cytokines, adipokines, or vascular activation markers) despite promising, do not possess the sufficient prerequisites to be considered as migraine biomarkers.

Conclusion:

The characterization of migraine-specific biomarkers would be fundamental in a perspective of precision medicine, enabling risk assessment and tailored treatments. However, speculating on the clinical validity of migraine biomarkers may be premature and controlled clinical trials are presently needed to investigate both the diagnostic and therapeutic value of these biomarkers in migraine.

Current and emerging evidence-based treatment options in chronic migraine: a narrative review

Background

Chronic migraine is a disabling condition that is currently underdiagnosed and undertreated. In this narrative review, we discuss the future of chronic migraine management in relation to recent progress in evidence-based pharmacological treatment.

Findings

Patients with chronic migraine require prophylactic therapy to reduce the frequency of migraine attacks, but the only currently available evidence-based prophylactic treatment options for chronic migraine are topiramate and onabotulinumtoxinA. Improved prophylactic therapy is needed to reduce the high burden of chronic migraine in Italy. Monoclonal antibodies that target the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) pathway of migraine pathogenesis have been specifically developed for the prophylactic treatment of chronic migraine. These anti-CGRP/R monoclonal antibodies have demonstrated good efficacy and excellent tolerability in phase II and III clinical trials, and offer new hope to patients who are currently not taking any prophylactic therapy or not benefitting from their current treatment.

Conclusions

Treatment of chronic migraine is a dynamic and rapidly advancing area of research. New developments in this field have the potential to improve the diagnosis and provide more individualised treatments for this condition. Establishing a culture of prevention is essential for reducing the personal, social and economic burden of chronic migraine.

Botulinum Toxin a Valuable Prophylactic Agent for Migraines and a Possible Future Option for the Prevention of Hormonal Variations-Triggered Migraines

BACKGROUND

In 1989, Botulinum toxin (BoNT) was accepted by the FDA for the management of some ophthalmic disorders. Although it was initially considered a lethal toxin, in recent times, Botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A), which is the more used serotype, has expanded to cover different clinical conditions, primarily characterized by neuropathic pain, including migraines and headaches. Evidence suggests that migraines are influenced by hormonal factors, particularly by estrogen levels, but very few studies have investigated the prevalence and management strategies for migraines according to the hormonal status. The effects of several therapeutic regimens on migraines have been investigated, but the medications used varied widely in proven efficacies and mechanisms of action. BoNT-A is increasingly used in the management of migraine and several placebo-controlled trials of episodic and chronic migraine are currently underway. This paper is a review of the recently published data concerning the administration of BoNT-A in the prevention of chronic migraines. Considering the lack of population-based studies about the effectiveness of BoNT-A in the alleviation of premenstrual and perimenopausal migraines, this study proposes a new perspective of the therapeutic approach of migraine syndrome associated with menopausal transition and the premenstrual period.

METHODS

We selected the reviewed papers from CrossRef, PubMed, Medline, and GoogleScholar, and a total of 21 studies met our inclusion criteria.

RESULTS

To date, no specific preventive measures have been recommended for menopausal women with migraines. BoNT-A often reduces the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks per month; the treatment is well tolerated and does not exhibit a significantly higher rate of treatment-related side effects. No population-based studies were conducted in order to highlight the role of BoNT-A in menopause-related migraines, neither in menstrual migraines.

CONCLUSION

There is a need for further research in order to quantify the real burden of menstrual and perimenopausal migraines and to clarify if BoNT-A could be used in the treatment of refractory postmenopausal and premenstrual migraines.

Consensus of the Brazilian Headache Society on the treatment of chronic migraine

Chronic migraine poses a significant personal, social and economic burden and is characterized by headache present on 15 or more days per month for at least three months, with at least eight days of migrainous headache per month. It is frequently associated with analgesic or acute migraine medication overuse and this should not be overlooked. The present consensus was elaborated upon by a group of members of the Brazilian Headache Society in order to describe current evidence and to provide recommendations related to chronic migraine pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment. Withdrawal strategies in medication overuse headache are also described, as well as treatment risks during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Oral topiramate and onabotulinum toxin A injections are the only treatments granted Class A recommendation, while valproate, gabapentin, and tizanidine received Class B recommendation, along with acupuncture, biofeedback, and mindfulness. The anti-CGRP or anti-CGRPr monoclonal antibodies, still unavailable in Brazil, are promising new drugs already approved elsewhere for migraine prophylactic treatment, the efficacy of which in chronic migraine is still to be definitively proven.

Observational, open-label, non-randomized study on the efficacy of onabotulinumtoxinA in the treatment of nummular headache: The pre-numabot study

Background

Nummular headache is a primary headache characterised by superficial, coin-shaped pain. Superficial sensory fibre dysfunction might be involved in its pathophysiology. Considering the mechanism of action of onabotulinumtoxinA, it could be a reasonable option in treatment of nummular headache. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of onabotulinumtoxinA in a series of nummular headache patients.

Patients and methods

This was an observational, prospective, non-randomized and open-label study. Nummular headache patients with at least 10 headache days in three preceding months were included. They were administered 25 units of onabotulinumtoxinA. The primary endpoint was the decrease of headache days per month, evaluated between weeks 20 to 24, compared with baseline. The secondary endpoints included reduction of intense headache days and acute treatment days evaluated between weeks 20–24 and weeks 8–12, compared with baseline. The 30%, 50% and 75% responder rates were determined, and tolerability described.

Results

We included 53 patients, 67.9% females, with a median age of 54 years. Preventive treatment had been used previously in 60.4% of patients. The median diameter of the nummular headache was 5 cm. At baseline, the number of headache days per month was 24.5 (7.3); the number of intense headache days was 12.5 (10.1), and the number of acute treatment days was 12.8 (7.8). After onabotulinumtoxinA, the mean number of headache days per month decreased to 6.9 (9.3) between weeks 20 and 24 ( p < 0.001). Secondary endpoints concerning intense headache days per month and acute treatment days per month were also statistically significant ( p < 0.001). The 50% responder rate, evaluated between weeks 20 and 24, was 77.4% and the 75% responder rate was 52.8%. Concerning tolerability, 26 patients (49.1%) experienced an adverse event (AE), the commonest being injection-site pain in 12 cases (22.6%). There were no moderate or severe AEs.

Conclusion

It was found that after injecting onabotulinumtoxinA, the number of headache days per month was reduced in nummular headache patients. The number of intense headache days per month and acute treatment days were also lowered. No serious adverse events occurred during treatment.

A real-world study on unmet medical needs in triptan-treated migraine: prevalence, preventive therapies and triptan use modification from a large Italian population along two years

Background

Although migraine is a disabling neurological condition that causes important disability, it remains an area of underdiagnosis and undertreatment worldwide. The aim of this study was to depict the burden of the unmet medical needs in migraine treated with triptans in a large Italian population.

Methods

A 2-year longitudinal analysis of migraineurs with unmet medical needs on treatment with triptans was performed. The studied cohort consisted of subjects with ≥4 triptan dose units per month, selected from the general population These patients were stratified into: possible Low-Frequency Episodic Migraine (pLF-EM: 4–9 triptan dose units per month), possible High-Frequency Episodic Migraine (pHF-EM: 10–14 triptan dose units per month) and possible Chronic Migraine (pCM:> 14 triptan dose units per month). The first follow-up year was analysed to describe the use of preventive therapies, the second year to describe the ≥50% reduction in triptan use.

Results

Of 10,270,683 adults, 8.0 per 1000 were triptan users and, of these, 38.2% were migraineurs with unmet medical needs, corresponding to 3.1 per 1000 adults. By stratifying for the number of triptan dose units per month, 72.3% were affected by pLF-EM, 17.4% by pHF-EM, and 10.3% by pCM. In this cohort, 19.1% of individuals used oral preventive drugs and 0.1% botulinum toxin. Triptan use reduction was found in 22.3% individuals of the cohort, decreasing with the intensification of need levels (25.8% pLF-EM, 13.6% pHF-EM, 12.0% pCM).

Conclusions

This real-life analysis underlined that the unmet medical needs concern a large part of patients treated with triptans and there is an undertreatment with preventive therapies whose benefit is insufficient, which may be due to the lack of effective preventive strategies, probably still reserved to severe patients. This study allows forecasting the actual impact of newest therapeutic strategies aimed to fill this gap.

Headache and Its Management in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this review was to discuss the prevalence, impact, pathophysiology, and treatment of headaches (H/As) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

RECENT FINDINGS

Headaches and multiple sclerosis are more common in women than in men with the ratio of female to male being 3:1. It is not entirely clear if there is a correlation or an incidental comorbidity of two neurological conditions. A review of the literature shows a variable prevalence of H/As in MS patients. Using the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD) criteria, the primary type of H/As, especially migraine, is the most common type seen in patients with MS. One of the theories of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of migraine in MS patients is inflammation leading to demyelinating lesions in the pain-producing centers in the midbrain. Secondary H/As due to MS medications such as interferons are also frequently present. H/As can be a cause for significant comorbidity in patients with MS. The treatment of H/As in patients with MS should be addressed in the same fashion as in the non-MS population, which is a combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods. Preventive medicines for the H/As should be carefully selected because of their side effect profiles. Acute attacks of migraines can be treated with medications such as triptans. Patients with MS who have migraine H/As should be educated about the phenomenon of overuse H/As, keeping headache journals, avoiding stress, and monitoring sleeping habits. The presence of depression in patients with MS and migraine affects quality of life (QOL) and should also be addressed for better outcomes.

Optimizing the long-term management of chronic migraine with onabotulinumtoxinA in real life

INTRODUCTION

Management of chronic migraine is challenging. OnabotulinumtoxinA (OBT-A) is the only medication licensed for prevention of chronic migraine, and has been widely adopted in clinical practice. Limited data is available on its long-term use. Areas covered: Data from controlled trials are combined with available data on the long-term use of OBT-A in real-life studies, with information obtained in a recent survey among Italian headache centers, and the clinical experience of the authors. Six areas were identified as relevant to patients with chronic migraine: 1) definition of responders to OBT-A; 2) management of responders to OBT-A; 3) optimal timing of prophylaxis with OBT-A; 4) position of OBT-A in prevention of chronic migraine; 5) management of medication overuse, and 6) patient education. Expert commentary: This review provides an update on the latest evidence regarding the long-term use of OBT-A in chronic migraine and analyzes the critical issues in the decision-making process that emerge from the analysis of the literature and routine practice. A treatment algorithm is proposed for the adoption in the daily practice.