Impact of preventive medications in migraine patients at Rhode Island Hospital.
OBJECTIVE
Determine healthcare resource utilization in migraine patients prescribed preventive medications in the resident neurology clinic at Rhode Island Hospital.


BACKGROUND
Similar institutions have demonstrated that treatment with preventive migraine medications results in significant decreases in outpatient and ED visits, CT/ MRI scans and abortive medication usage.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review identified 166 patients based on icd-9 code. Resource utilization was defined as documented emergency room visits, MRI/CT, hospitalizations, outpatient visits and abortive medication usage.


RESULTS
There was no difference in resource utilization in those patients taking or not taking a preventive medication. Only 53% were on a level A recommended medication and of those 35.5% were treated with recommended doses.


CONCLUSIONS
UNLIKE similar institutions, there was no difference in resource utilization in patients taking preventive medications. A possible explanation for this discrepancy may be that patients are sub-optimally treated with less effective medications and doses. Employment of appropriate preventive medications may result in a decrease in the utilization of healthcare resources.
Neurology Resident at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital.
Deena
D
Kuruvilla
Michelle
M
Mellion
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018890:Chemoprevention; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006295:Health Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012237:Rhode Island; D055815:Young Adult
CT; MRI; emergency department; migraine; migraine preventive therapy; migraine resource utilization