Effectiveness of sumatriptan in reducing productivity loss due to migraine: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of sumatriptan on migraine-related workplace productivity loss.


METHODS
In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial, adult migraineurs self-injected 6 mg of sumatriptan or matching placebo to treat a moderate or severe migraine within the first 4 hours of a minimum of an 8-hour work shift. Outcome measures included productivity loss and number of patients returning to normal work performance 2 hours after injection and across the work shift, time to return to normal work performance, and time to headache relief.


RESULTS
A total of 206 patients underwent screening, 140 (safety population) of whom returned for clinic treatment. Of these 140 patients, 119 received migraine treatment in the workplace (intent-to-treat population), 116 of whom comprised the study population. Of these 116 patients, 76 self-administered sumatriptan, and 40 self-administered placebo. Sumatriptan treatment tended to reduce median productivity loss 2 hours after injection compared with placebo (25.2 vs 29.9 minutes, respectively; P = .14). Significant reductions in productivity loss were obtained across the work shift after sumatriptan treatment compared with placebo (36.8 vs 72.6 minutes, respectively; P = .001). Significantly more sumatriptan-treated patients vs placebo-treated patients experienced shorter return to normal work performance at 2 hours (53/76 [70%] vs 12/40 [30%], respectively) and across the work shift (64/76 [84%] vs 23/40 [58%], respectively; P < .001). Significantly more sumatriptan-treated patients experienced headache relief 1 hour after injection compared with placebo-treated patients (48/76 [63%] vs 13/40 [33%], respectively; P = .004).


CONCLUSIONS
Across an 8-hour work shift, sumatriptan was superior to placebo in reducing productivity loss due to migraine.
Schulman
E A
EA
Center for Headache Management, Springfield, Pa., USA.
Cady
R K
RK
Henry
D
D
Batenhorst
A S
AS
Putnam
D G
DG
Watson
C B
CB
O'Quinn
S O
SO
D000328:Adult; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004526:Efficiency; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics*; D009790:Occupations / Q000191:economics; D012646:Self Administration; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018170:Sumatriptan / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D017132:Workplace
D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D018170:Sumatriptan