Effectiveness of Sumatriptan for Acute Treatment of Migraine Headache in an African Population (English)

Abstract

Background The triptans are currently the drugs of choice for acute treatment of migraine. Although there are several newer triptans, sumatriptan that was first introduced into clinical practice is still preferred to newer triptans by subjects in several clinical trials. Objective This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of sumatriptan in an African population where triptans have not been introduced. Methods Subjects were recruited consecutively in three large teaching hospitals that are located in ethno-geographically different regions in Nigeria. Migraine headaches, which were classified using the criteria of the International Headache Society, were rated on visual analogue scale, while associated symptoms of migraine were rated on ordinal scale. Ratings of headaches and of associated symptoms before and four hours after 50 mg sumatriptan dose were compared using non-parametric tests. Results 42 subjects, 11 males and 31 females, completed the study. 11 (26 %) subjects had migraine with aura, while 31 (74 %) subjects had migraine without aura. Before treatment headache was rated 0 –3 by no subject, 4 – 7 by 20 subjects, and 8 –10 by 22 subjects, but after treatment headache was rated 0 – 3 by 30 subjects, 4 – 7 by 7 subjects, and 8 – 10 by 5 subjects (P 0.05). Severity of headache, presence of associated symptoms, and impairment of activity were not associated with relief of headache. Conclusion Sumatriptan is effective to relieve the headache and the associated symptoms of migraine, and to induce early return to activity in this study population. Sumatriptan was well tolerated without serious clinical adverse effects. Resume Introduction Les triptans representent actuellement le traitement de choix des migraines. Bien qu\'il y ait plusieurs types de triptans, le sumatriptan qui fut le premier a etre introduit sur lemarche, a la faveur des prescripteurs. Objectif L\'objetif du travail presente est d\'etudier l\'effet du sumatriptan sur une population africaine. Methodes Les sujets ont ete recrutes consecutivement dans 3 hopitaux universitaires situes dans differents zones geographiques du Nigeria. La classification repondait aux criteres de l\' International Headache Society . L\'evaluation des migraines a ete realisee avant puis 4 heures apres la prise de 50 mg de sumatriptan. Resultats 42 sujets, 11 de sexe masculin et 31 de sexe feminin composaient le groupe d\'etude. 11 (26%) presentaient une migraine avec aura, tandis que 31 (74%) signalaient une absence d\'aura.Avant le traitement les migraines se repartissaient selon les scores suivants : 0 - 3, 4-7 20 patients ; 8 - 10, 22 patients. Apres traitement, l\'evaluation etait la suivante : 0 - 3, 30 patients ; 4 - 7, 7 patients ; 8 - 10, 5 patients ( P 0.05). La severite des crises, la presence de signes associees, et la perturbation des activites sociales n\'etaient pas correlees au soulagement des douleurs. Conclusion Le sumatriptan a un effet benefique sur les crises migraineuses et les signes associes et autorise un retour rapide aux activites sociales dans la population africaine etudiee. Le sumatriptan est bien tolere sans effet secondaire significatif. (Af. J. of Neurological Sciences: 2003 22(2))