Effectiveness of Acute and Preventive Pharmacological Therapies for Migraine and Their Impact on Quality of Life: A Real-World Observational Study.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND
Migraine is a highly prevalent and disabling neurological disorder associated with a substantial impact on quality of life and functioning in both occupational and social settings. Despite the availability of effective acute and preventive treatments, therapeutic outcomes in real-world clinical practice remain heterogeneous.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of acute and preventive pharmacological therapies for migraine and their association with quality of life in a real-world clinical setting.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A descriptive observational study was conducted between May and July 2025 at a headache diagnosis and treatment centre in Northern Italy. Eighty-four consecutive patients with a diagnosis of migraine completed a structured questionnaire including information on clinical characteristics, pharmacological treatments, quality-of-life indicators, and the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, and analysis of variance.
RESULTS
The mean age of the sample was 43.8 years, with a female prevalence of 77.4%. All patients were receiving acute therapies, which were reported as fully effective in 79.8% of cases. Triptans showed greater effectiveness than over-the-counter analgesics both in symptom control (92.1% vs. 67.4%) and in improving quality of life (86.8% vs. 60.5%). Preventive therapy was used by 77.4% of patients, and anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies showed the highest effectiveness (100%). The mean HIT-6 score was 48.31 ± 9.12, and 58.3% of patients reported no or only mild impact on quality of life.
CONCLUSIONS
Triptans and anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies represent effective therapeutic options in migraine management. However, the impact of the disease on quality of life remains substantial, highlighting the importance of comprehensive and integrated care.
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