[Acetylsalicylic acid in self-medication of migraine. A pharmacy-based observational study].
BACKGROUND
The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of acetylsalicylic acid in the treatment of acute migraine attacks by self-medication under daily life conditions when bought in a pharmacy and also the ability of patients to self-diagnose correctly.


METHODS
A total of 296 patients were recruited from 156 pharmacies and recorded up to 3 migraine attacks. Following an advisory discussion the pharmacists gave a questionnaire to persons who had purchased acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin Migraine) in the pharmacy to treat migraine. A total of 578 questionnaires containing 36 questions about demographic details, headache phenotype, medical history, efficacy over 2 h and tolerability of the preparation were analyzed.


RESULTS
The IHS criteria (1988) for migraine were identified correctly by 92.7% of the patients. In 66.3% of the attacks, the intensity of the headache was reported as severe. In 60% of the documented attacks, a decrease from severe or moderate to mild or no headache was recorded after medication, and freedom from headache was achieved in 35.8%. The effect was reproducible over 3 migraine attacks. Nausea, photophobia and phonophobia were reduced by 71-86% compared to the baseline level. Side-effects were reported twice as often by the participants in response to closed questions than to open questions (16.6 vs. 8.3%).


CONCLUSIONS
A high percentage of migraine patients are capable of diagnosing their condition themselves when they seek advice in a pharmacy. The data on efficacy confirm the results from controlled clinical studies. The same parameters as those used in controlled clinical studies can also be recorded in pharmacy-based observational studies, therefore, the safety and tolerability of the medication can be recorded under real conditions.
Göbel
H
H
Neurologisch-verhaltensmedizinische Schmerzklinik, Kiel, Deutschland. hg@schmerzklinik.de
Gessner
U
U
Petersen-Braun
M
M
Weingärtner
U
U
D000328:Adult; D001241:Aspirin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012651:Self Medication / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001241:Aspirin