title: Adherence to migraine treatment does not depend on the number of prescribed medications.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the adherence between monotherapy and politherapy in prophylactic migraine treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five hundred consecutive patients with migraine from a tertiary center were retrospectively studied as to the number of preventive medications prescribed during the first visit. Adherence, defined as returning for the next consultation after 4 to 6 weeks and following the prescribed regimens, were also evaluated and compared between patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  71.8% were women, and 6% of the patients did not receive any preventive medication, 11.4% received one drug, 22.2% two drugs, 41.4% three drugs, and 19% four drugs for the prevention of migraine. The overall adherence was 79.6%. Respectively, 73.7, 71.8, 82.6 and 86.3% of those who received the prescription of one, two, three and four drugs returned, complying with the treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is no difference in adherence to monotherapy or politherapy (one to four drugs) for the prophylaxis of migraine.
authors.affiliation: Neurologist, MD, Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Niterói RJ, Brazil. analuisabrasil@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Ana Luísa C Brasil
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Dozza
authors.forename: Abouch Valenty
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Krymchantowski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D058671:Adrenergic beta-1 Receptor Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005444:Flunarizine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult; D016903:Drug Monitoring
chemical_list: D058671:Adrenergic beta-1 Receptor Antagonists; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central; D055553:Prescription Drugs; D005444:Flunarizine