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Treatment Outcome of Migraineurs Over the Age of 40
 
Posted June 2000


To study the treatment outcome of migraine patients over the age of 40, a telephone survey was conducted of 50 patients (ages 40 to 82 with an average age of 51; 48 women and 2 men). The surveyors followed a structured interview format and asked the patients 8 questions. The results indicated that a majority (54%) of these patients (27/50) had 1 to 2 migraines per month. Only 16 out of 50 patients reported concomitant disorders, such as hypertension (18%), heart disease (6%), diabetes (8%), or fibromyalgia (4%). All of the patients used medication for migraines; 68% used a 5-HT-1 agonist; 10% used OTCs; 8%, Midrin or NSAIDs; 6%, combination analgesics; and 6%, tricyclics. Of the 12 who had taken a 5-HT-1 agonist and had hypertension and/or heart disease, none reported side effects from the medication. Most (56%; 28/50) were using less medication than they had in the past, presumably because of fewer migraines. In terms of efficacy, 72% rated the 5-HT-1 agonist (sumatriptan) as effective as it has always been.