Evidence Hub

Acute Treatments for Episodic Migraine

Rashmi B. Halker Singh, Juliana H. VanderPluym, Allison S. Morrow, Meritxell Urtecho, Tarek Nayfeh, Victor D. Torres Roldan, Magdoleen H. Farah, Bashar Hasan et al.

2020

101,276 participants · 8 citations

Abstract

Objectives. To evaluate the effectiveness and comparative effectiveness of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies for the acute treatment of episodic migraine in adults. Data sources. MEDLINE®, Embase®, Cochrane Central Registrar of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PsycINFO®, Scopus, and various grey literature sources from database inception to July 24, 2020. Comparative effectiveness evidence about triptans and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was extracted from existing systematic reviews. Review methods. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and comparative observational studies that enrolled adults who received an intervention to acutely treat episodic migraine. Pairs of independent reviewers selected and appraised studies. Results. Data on triptans were derived from 186 RCTs summarized in nine systematic reviews (101,276 patients; most studied was sumatriptan, followed by zolmitriptan, eletriptan, naratriptan, almotriptan, rizatriptan, and frovatriptan). Compared with placebo, triptans resolved pain at 2 hours and 1 day, and increased the risk of mild and transient adverse events (high strength of the body of evidence [SOE]). Data on NSAIDs were derived from five systematic reviews (13,214 patients; most studied was ibuprofen, followed by diclofenac and ketorolac). Compared with placebo, NSAIDs probably resolved pain at 2 hours and 1 day, and increased the risk of mild and transient adverse events (moderate SOE).…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 101,276 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

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