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In 1999, my colleagues and I performed a study in 7
hospitals in different regions throughout Spain where 305
patients were questioned about their use of antimigraine
medications [1] . The patients reported previous use of the
following acute agents: analgesics (99%), nonsteroidal antiinfl
ammatory drugs (NSAIDs, 69%), ergotamines (54%),
and sumatriptan (40%). When questioned about their satisfaction
with these agents, a subjective good response
was reported by 9% of those who had taken analgesics,
23% of those who had taken NSAIDs, 39% of those who
had taken ergotamines, and 63% of those who had taken
sumatriptan.
Now, 5 years and many second-generation triptans
later, how have things changed in the treatment of acute
migraine? The articles in this supplement, based on presentations
at the 4th Annual Migraine Meeting, October
15–17, 2004, in Budapest, Hungary, report on advances
made in the management of acute migraine.
Dr. Lantéri-Minet describes what patients want from
their acute migraine medication, that is, complete freedom
from pain, rapid onset of action, no recurrence, and
absence of side effects, but explains that, with the underuse
of triptans, many patients are not receiving the type
of medication that will meet these expectations and leave
them satisfi ed. In addition, many individuals with migraine
are still unrecognized and do not have a physician’s
diagnosis. |