Medication adherence to preventive treatment was 32.8% in patients with cluster headache and 22.0% in patients with migraine, with no statistically significant difference between the groups.
Cross-Sectional (n=200)
Does medication adherence and factors influencing adherent/non-adherent behavior differ between patients with cluster headache and migraine?
Patients with cluster headache have similar adherence levels to preventive medication compared to migraine patients, but possess higher resources of adherence-promoting factors like coping and self-efficacy.
Absolute Event Rate: 32.8% vs 22%
p-value: p=0.112
To examine factors for adherent and non-adherent behavior in patients with cluster headache and migraine. Adults with cluster headache or migraine were included in this anonymous online survey using a questionnaire accessed via homepages of headache support groups. Medication adherence in preventive treatment was measured with the Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-D). Factors for non-adherent behavior were examined (subjective socioeconomic status, psychological comorbidities, self-efficacy, coping, side effects, expectations of treatment, information on medical treatment, and trust in the physician/treatment concept). 200 participants (n = 58 with cluster headache, n = 142 with migraine) were included. The rate of medication adherence in preventive treatment was 32.8% for participants with cluster headache and 20.4% for migraine. The most common reasons for low adherence in participants with cluster headache were altering the prescribed medication dose (34%) or taking less than instructed (14%), which was mostly due to insufficient benefit from the medication or side effects. Positive expectations of medical treatment (p ≤ 0.05) correlated significantly with adherent behavior in cluster headache. Furthermore, the adherence-promoting factors coping and self-efficacy were more pronounced in patients with cluster headache than in those with migraine (p < 0.05). This study is the first to comprehensively investigate medication adherence and factors influencing adherent/non-adherent behavior in patients with cluster headache. Patients with cluster headache had similar adherence levels to patients with migraine, but had higher resources of adherence-promoting factors.
Rimmele et al. (Mon,) conducted a cross-sectional in Cluster headache and migraine (n=200). Preventive medication for cluster headache vs. Preventive medication for migraine was evaluated on Medication adherence rate (MARS-D score of 25) (p=0.112). Medication adherence to preventive treatment was 32.8% in patients with cluster headache and 22.0% in patients with migraine, with no statistically significant difference between the groups.