title: Patterns of use and health expenses associated with triptans among adults with migraines.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine patterns of use, socioeconomic factors, and the impact on total health expenses associated with triptan therapy among patients with migraines.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with migraines were identified from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey household component files (2006 to 2011) and were restricted to those who were 18 years or older and had a migraine diagnosis. The major outcome measures were triptan use during the 2-year period and annualized average total and migraine-related health care expenses and medical utilization. Socioeconomic factors associated with triptan use were analyzed by using logistic regression. The impact of triptan use on total and migraine-related health expenses was assessed by linear regression models with log transformations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 1961 patients with a migraine diagnosis (representing 45.6 million individuals in the United States for years 2006 to 2011), 501 received triptans to treat acute migraines (representing 13.1 million individuals in the United States, 28.6%). Patients who were females and had higher income and education levels were more likely to receive triptans to treat migraines. Triptan expense accounted for 49.6% of total migraine-related expenses and 21.9% of total all-cause prescription drug expenses respectively. Compared with nontriptan users, the annualized total health expenses increased by 19.7% in triptan users after adjusting for demographic and health-related variables.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study suggested that socioeconomic factors were associated with triptan use in migraineurs. Higher total and migraine-related health expenses were observed in triptan users.
authors.affiliation: South Carolina College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Greenville, SC.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Noxon
authors.forename: Z Kevin
authors.initials: ZK
authors.lastname: Lu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014363:Tryptamines / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002491:Central Nervous System Agents; D014363:Tryptamines