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Evaluation of migraineurs' preferences for naratriptan over conventional first-line agents

Powers C, Szeto S, Pangtay D, Bort T, Cervi M, Cady R

Archives of family medicine, 2000

143 participants

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess patient satisfaction with and preference for naratriptan hydrochloride therapy over previous "nontriptan" therapy for migraines.

DESIGN AND SETTING: Open-label study conducted at 15 primary care clinics.

PATIENTS: One hundred forty-three adults meeting International Headache Society diagnostic criteria for migraine who were not using triptans as first-line therapy for migraines were enrolled; 115 completed the study. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME ASSESSMENTS: At baseline, satisfaction with current migraine therapy was assessed. Patients were provided with naratriptan hydrochloride, 2.5 mg, to treat 3 migraines and diaries to record headache symptoms and response to treatment. After treating 3 migraines, satisfaction with naratriptan therapy and preference for either previous or naratriptan therapy were assessed.

RESULTS: Eighty-nine (62%) of 143 patients had previous exposure to triptans, with lack of prescribing (55%) as the primary reason for not continuing their use as first-line therapy. Medications used for first-line therapy included simple analgesics (59%), combination products (46%), and narcotics (13%). After treating 3 migraines with naratriptan, satisfaction with migraine therapy increased from 47% to 75%. Sixty-three percent of patients preferred naratriptan therapy over their previous nontriptan therapy, 27% preferred their previous therapy, and 10% had no preference. The main reasons for preference for naratriptan therapy were "relieves pain…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a clinical trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 143 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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