Background: Migraine, a prevalent and disabling neurological disorder, affects over a billion people globally, with a significant impact in India. Despite effective treatments, poor adherence and limited data on drug use and quality of life persist, especially in developing nations. Understanding these patterns is crucial for enhancing patient care, optimizing healthcare resources, and reducing the socioeconomic burden of migraine. Methods: This one-year prospective observational study was conducted at Shree Krishna Hospital, Gujarat, following ethical clearance. A total of 150 migraine patients diagnosed according to the ICHD-3 (International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd Edition) were enrolled. Data on demographics, treatment, and quality of life (via MIDAS Migraine Disability Assessment and MIBS-4 Migraine Interictal Burden Scale) were collected. Statistical analysis was conducted using STATA 14.2. Informed consent ensured participant confidentiality and adherence to research standards. Results: Among 150 migraine patients (74.7% female), most had low-frequency episodic migraine with moderate throbbing pain. NSAIDs (mainly naproxen) and TCAs (mainly amitriptyline) were widely used. MIDAS showed 11.3% had severe disability; MIBS-4 revealed 24% experienced severe interictal burden. Sleep disturbance, stress, and anxiety were common triggers, highlighting migraine's multifactorial impact on daily routine affecting quality of life. Conclusions: Although triptans have proven efficacy as acute treatment, their utilization remains limited. Quality of life assessments using MIDAS and MIBS-4 revealed significant disability, underscoring the need for enhanced management strategies targeting associated psychological conditions such as anxiety and depression. Optimizing prescription practices, improving patient education, and incorporating lifestyle modifications are crucial for effective long-term migraine management. These interventions promise improved patient outcomes.
Amin et al. (Tue,) studied this question.