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The impact of an over-the-counter migraine medication program on quality of life.

AbstractOBJECTIVE:
This study was conducted to assess the health-related quality of life of patients treated with samples of an over-the-counter migraine medication.
BACKGROUND:
Population-based epidemiologic studies have reported that over 90% of an estimated 28 million migraine sufferers in the United States use both prescription and nonprescription medications for their migraine headaches, with 60% taking over-the-counter medications exclusively. Despite the widespread use of nonprescription drugs, no published literature to date has assessed migraineurs' health-related quality of life associated with use of over-the-counter headache medication.
METHODS:
This prospective and observational study evaluated the impact on health-related quality of life of patients from a managed care organization who were diagnosed with migraine and prescribed migraine medications. Patients were enrolled from four different medical groups and were requested to complete health-related quality-of-life questionnaires 2 and 4 months after they were provided with educational materials on migraine and samples of an over-the-counter migraine medication containing a combination of acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine.
RESULTS:
A total of 99 patients who chose an over-the-counter medication as their initial treatment for acute migraine occurring over the ensuing 4 months completed a baseline Short-Form 36, a validated and reliable general health status questionnaire. They then were retested at months 2 and 4. Results demonstrated significant improvements at months 2 and months 4 in one to four of the health-related quality-of-life dimensions measured relative to scores recorded before the patients were given access to the over-the-counter medication (P <.05). In addition, patients who initially took an over-the-counter medication to treat their migraine headaches reported increased frequency of relief.
CONCLUSION:
In the 4 months following availability of an over-the-counter migraine medication and educational migraine materials, health-related quality of life and frequency of relief improved for the managed care migraine sufferers who participated in this study.
AuthorsCaroline T Burk, Alex Gilderman, Joyce Salas, David Berenbeim, Michael B Nichol
JournalHeadache (Headache) Vol. 43 Issue 3 Pg. 191-201 (Mar 2003) ISSN: 0017-8748 [Print] United States
PMID12603637 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Chemical References
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
  • Drug Combinations
  • Nonprescription Drugs
  • Acetaminophen
  • Caffeine
  • Aspirin
Topics
  • Acetaminophen (administration & dosage)
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic (therapeutic use)
  • Aspirin (administration & dosage)
  • Caffeine (administration & dosage)
  • Drug Combinations
  • Drug Prescriptions
  • Female
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Migraine Disorders (drug therapy)
  • Nonprescription Drugs (therapeutic use)
  • Prospective Studies
  • Quality of Life

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