Real-World Treatment Patterns and Outcomes Among Patients with Episodic Migraine in China: Results from the Adelphi Migraine Disease Specific Programme™.

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed treatment patterns, disease burden, outcomes, and unmet needs among patients with episodic migraine (EM) in China using Adelphi Migraine Disease Specific Programme™ (DSP) real-world data.

BACKGROUND

Migraine is a prevalent and debilitating neurological disorder which presents a major public health burden globally. Research on characteristics, disease burden, and treatment patterns in EM patients in China is limited.

METHODS

Data were drawn from an existing data set Adelphi Migraine DSP, a point-in-time survey conducted in China (January-June 2014). Internists/neurologists completed patient record forms for the next 9 patients who consulted them in clinical practice; these same patients completed the 'patient self-completion questionnaires'. Descriptive analyses were used to assess key variables: patient demographics, treatment patterns (current acute and preventive medication [AM/PM]), effectiveness, issues with existing treatment, Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) scores, and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment scores.

RESULTS

Total of 125 internists/neurologists provided data on 1113 patients with EM (headache days/month <15). Mean (standard deviation [SD]) age was 43.8 (13.1) years; mean (SD) number of migraine days/month was 3.2 (1.7). AM was prescribed in 86.1% of patients (non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs]: 62.7%; triptans: 7.7%), PM in 38.5%, and both in 24.9% of patients. Approximately 55% of patients experienced ≥1 issue with their current AM or PM. Migraine-related symptoms (including nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia) were fully controlled in <50% of patients receiving NSAIDs (21.7-38.4%) or triptans (32.4-43.5%). Insufficient response to current AM (migraine headache fully resolved within 2 hours in ≤3/5 attacks) was reported by 42.5% of patients. Mild-to-severe disability was reported by 36.8% of patients with a mean (SD) MIDAS score of 5.8 (7.3). Overall, 58.0% of work time was impaired (including time missed and impairment while working).

CONCLUSION

This analysis suggests, despite existing treatment options, disease burden and unmet medical needs remain substantial in Chinese patients with EM.