title: Analysis of the duration of migraine prophylaxis.
abstract: To determine the minimum duration of migraine prophylaxis, after patients become pain-free. Migraine patients diagnosed according to criteria of International Classification of Headache Disorders-2 were treated prophylactically. After becoming pain-free, they were divided into two equal groups: in group 1, prophylaxis was maintained for another 12 months and in group 2, for 24 months. Each group was followed for more three years after prophylaxis period. Of the 50 patients, 39 (78%) were female and 11 (22%) were male. The age ranged from 18 to 50 years. Before treatment, the attack frequency for groups 1 and 2 was, respectively, 16.3 ± 12.8 and 16.4 ± 11.8 days per month (p = 0.769). Patients in groups 1 and 2 have become pain-free, respectively, with 21.4 ± 11.2 and 16.8 ± 9.9 months (p = 0.161). During three years without treatment, groups 1 and 2 maintained an annual frequency of respectively 3.2 and 0.5 headache days. Of the patients in group 2, 76.0% (19/25) remained pain-free during follow-up, versus 44.0% (11/25) of group 1, with a significant difference (p=0.001). The best results were obtained when migraine prophylaxis was maintained for 24 months after patients became pain-free.
authors.affiliation: Neurology, Center of Neurology and Headache of Piauí, Teresina, PI, Brazil. Electronic address: neurocefaleia@terra.com.br.
authors.forename: Raimundo Pereira
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Silva-Néto
authors.affiliation: Neurology, Center of Neurology and Headache of Piauí, Teresina, PI, Brazil.
authors.forename: Kelson James
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.affiliation: Neurophysiology, Hospital Getúlio Vargas, Recife, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Silvya Neri
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Bernardino
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001262:Atenolol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005444:Flunarizine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009661:Nortriptyline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D001262:Atenolol; D009661:Nortriptyline; D005444:Flunarizine
keywords: Chronic daily headache; Cure; Migraine; Migraine prophylaxis; Primary headache; Treatment