Sumatriptan injection reduces productivity loss during a migraine attack: results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the impact of sumatriptan succinate injection compared with placebo on productivity loss during a migraine attack in the workplace.


METHODS
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial.


METHODS
Fifteen clinical centers in the United States.


METHODS
One hundred thirty-five patients 18 years and older diagnosed as having migraine according to International Headache Society criteria.


METHODS
Patients self-administered sumatriptan injection (6 mg) or matching placebo to treat a moderate or severe migraine occurring within the first 4 hours of a minimum 8-hour work shift.


METHODS
Mean productivity loss 2 hours after dosing and across the work shift; percentages of patients returning to normal work performance within 2 hours after dosing and across the work shift; percentages of patients experiencing headache relief (reduction of moderate or severe predose pain to mild or no pain) 1 and 2 hours after dosing.


RESULTS
Mean productivity loss was significantly (P< or =.002) lower in the sumatriptan group compared with the placebo group both during the 2-hour postdose period (sumatriptan, 39 minutes; placebo, 54 minutes) and across the work shift (sumatriptan, 86 minutes; placebo, 168 minutes). Significantly (P<.001) greater percentages of patients in the sumatriptan group compared with the placebo group returned to normal work performance by 2 hours after dosing (sumatriptan, 52%; placebo, 9%) and across the work shift (sumatriptan, 66%; placebo, 18%). Significantly (P< or =.001) greater percentages of patients in the sumatriptan group compared with the placebo group experienced headache relief 1 hour after dosing (sumatriptan, 69%; placebo, 18%) and 2 hours after dosing (sumatriptan, 79%; placebo, 32%).


CONCLUSIONS
Sumatriptan reduced migraine-associated productivity loss during a minimum 8-hour work shift by approximately 50% compared with placebo and alleviated headache in more than three fourths of patients.
Cady
R C
RC
Headache Care Center, Springfield, MO 65804, USA. rcady@headachecare.com
Ryan
R
R
Jhingran
P
P
O'Quinn
S
S
Pait
D G
DG
D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004526:Efficiency; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012008:Recurrence; D012646:Self Administration; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018170:Sumatriptan / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014937:Work
D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D018170:Sumatriptan