High Frequency Episodic Migraine Research Articles

High-frequency episodic migraine: Time for its recognition as a migraine subtype?

High-frequency episodic migraine (HFEM) has gained attention in the field of headache research and clinical practice. In this narrative review, we analyzed the available literature to assess the evidence that could help decide whether HFEM may represent a distinct clinical and/or biological entity within the migraine spectrum. The output of the literature search included 61 papers that were allocated to one of the following topics: (i) socio-demographic features and burden; (ii) clinical and therapeutic aspects; (iii) pathophysiology; and (iv) classification. Multiple features differentiate subjects with HFEM from low-frequency episodic migraine and from chronic migraine: education, employment rates, quality of life, disability and psychiatric comorbidities load. Some evidence also suggests that HFEM bears a specific profile of activation of cortical and spinal pain-related pathways, possibly related to maladaptive plasticity. Subjects with HFEM bear a distinctive clinical and socio-demographic profile within the episodic migraine group, with a higher disease burden and an increased risk of transitioning to chronic migraine. Recognizing HFEM as a distinct entity is an opportunity for the better understanding of migraine and the spectrum of frequency with which it can manifest, as well as for stimulating further research and more adequate public health approaches.

Nutritional Intake of Individuals With Moderate to High Frequency Episodic Migraine

Nutritional Intake of Individuals With Moderate to High Frequency Episodic Migraine

Evaluating the Effectiveness, Tolerability, and Safety of Eptinezumab in High-Frequency and Chronic Migraine in Real World: EMBRACE-The First Italian Multicenter, Prospective, Real-Life Study.

We conducted a multicenter, prospective study (EMBRACE) evaluating the real-life effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of eptinezumab (100 mg/300 mg)-a monoclonal antibody targeting the calcitonin-gene-related peptide (anti-CGRP mAb)-in high-frequency episodic migraine (HFEM) or chronic migraine (CM). The primary endpoint was the change in monthly migraine days (MMD) for HFEM or monthly headache days (MHD) for CM at weeks 9-12 compared to baseline. The secondary endpoints included changes in monthly analgesic intake (MAI), Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Headache Impact Test (HIT-6), Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS), Migraine Interictal Burden Scale (MIBS-4), and responder rates. The safety analysis involved 44 subjects; the effectiveness analysis included 26 individuals. Eptinezumab was well-tolerated. In CM patients, eptinezumab significantly reduced MHD (-16.1 ± 9.9, p < 0.001), MAI, NRS, HIT-6, MIDAS, and MIBS-4. In HFEM patients, it significantly reduced NRS, HIT-6, MIDAS, and MIBS-4, though reductions in MMD (-3.3 ± 4.5) and MAI were not statistically significant. Overall, ≥50% and ≥75% response rates were 61.5% and 30.8%, respectively (60% and 30% in non-responders to subcutaneous anti-CGRP mAbs). The clinical change was rated as much or very much improved by 61.0% of the patients. Eptinezumab demonstrated high effectiveness, safety, and tolerability in real-life among hard-to-treat migraine patients with multiple treatment failures, including anti-CGRP mAbs.

Assessing the Long-Term (48-Week) Effectiveness, Safety, and Tolerability of Fremanezumab in Migraine in Real Life: Insights from the Multicenter, Prospective, FRIEND3 Study.

Long-term (1-year) fremanezumab treatment proved to be effective, safe, and well tolerated in individuals with migraine and < 2 medication clusters in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). We aimed to assess real-world evidence (RWE), long-term effectiveness, tolerability, and safety of fremanezumab in people with high-frequency episodic migraine (HFEM) or chronic migraine (CM) with > 3 treatment failures and various comorbidities. A 48-week, prospective, multicenter (n = 26), cohort study assessed fremanezumab's effectiveness, safety, and tolerability in consecutive adults with HFEM or CM with > 3 treatment failures. Primary endpoint was variation from baseline in monthly migraine days (MMD) in HFEM and monthly headache days (MHD) in CM at weeks45-48. Secondary endpoints were changes in monthly analgesic medications, Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Headache Impact Test (HIT-6), and the Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS) scores and ≥ 50%, ≥ 75%, and 100% responder rates. Of 533 participants who had received ≥ 1 fremanezumab dose, 130 were treated for ≥ 48weeks and considered for effectiveness analysis. No participant missed any treatment dosage every other consecutive month during the 12-month period. fremanezumab significantly (p < 0.001) reduced both MMD (- 6.4) in HFEM and MHD (- 14.5) in CM. Secondary endpoints: a significant reduction (p < 0.001) was observed in monthly analgesic medications (HFEM -6.0; CM -16.5), NRS (HFEM -3.4; CM -3.4), HIT-6 (HFEM -16.9; CM -17.9) and MIDAS score (HFEM -50.4; CM -76.6). The ≥ 50%, ≥ 75%, and 100% response rates to fremanezumab were 75.5%, 36.7%, and 2% in HFEM and 71.6%, 44.4%, and 3.7% in CM. Corresponding response rates were 60.5%, 37.2%, and 2.3% in individuals with psychiatric comorbidities, 74.2%, 50%, and 4.8% in CM with medication overuse, and 60.9%, 39.1%, and 4.3% in CM with medication overuse and psychiatric comorbidities. Mild and transient treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 7.8% of the participants. No subject discontinued the treatment for any reason. This RWE study documents that long-term fremanezumab treatment is highly effective and remarkably well tolerated in subjects with HFEM or CM with multiple (> 3) therapeutic failures, even in the presence of concomitant medication overuse, psychiatric comorbidities, or both. The effectiveness-to-tolerability ratio appears to be better in RWE than in RCTs.

Impact of multiple treatment cycles with anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies on migraine course: focus on discontinuation periods. Insights from the multicenter, prospective, I-GRAINE study.

While a single 12-month treatment cycle (TrC) with anti-CGRP mAbs is not disease-modifying for most patients, there is limited understanding of the effects of multiple TrCs on migraine course. We evaluated whether a second TrC might modify the migraine course by comparing the occurrence of migraine relapse after discontinuation of the second TrC to that following the cessation of the first TrC. In a real-life, multicenter, prospective study we considered all consecutive patients diagnosed with high-frequency episodic migraine (HFEM) or chronic migraine (CM) with > 3 treatment failures and treated with any anti-CGRP mAbs for ≥ 2 consecutive 12-month TrCs who were responders at week 12. The primary endpoint was the change in monthly migraine days (MMD) for HFEM or monthly headache days (MHD) for CM at the first month of treatment discontinuation after the second TrC (D2) compared to the first TrC (D1). Secondary endpoints included variations in monthly analgesic medications (MAM), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), and Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) scores, ≥ 50%, ≥ 75%, and 100% response rates, and relapse from episodic migraine to CM and from no-medication overuse (MO) to MO at D2 vs. D1. One-hundred-seventy-eight patients completed two 12-month TrCs with anti-CGRP mAbs. At D2, patients experienced a significant reduction in MMD (-0.6, p = 0.028), MHD (-2.6, p < 0.001), monthly analgesic medications (-2.0, p < 0.001), and HIT-6 score (-2.2, p < 0.001) compared to D1, indicating improved effectiveness. The ≥ 50% response rate at weeks 45-48 during the first TrC was 95.5%, while at weeks 45-48 of the second TrC was 99.4%. Corresponding rates at D1 was 20.2% whereas at D2 was 51.6% (p < 0.0001). No statistical difference emerged in ≥ 75% and 100% responders. The relapse rate from episodic migraine to CM at D2 was lower than at D1 (12.3% vs 30.4%; p = 0.0002) Fewer patients experienced relapse from no-MO to MO at D2 compared to D1 (29.5% vs 68.7%; p = 0.00001). A second TrC with anti-CGRP mAbs demonstrated clinical improvements compared to the first one, as indicated by a milder migraine relapse at D2 compared to D1. Multiple TrCs with anti-CGRP mAbs could progressively modify migraine evolution by reducing CGRP-dependent neuroinflammatory nociceptive inputs to the brain.

Nine-Month Continuous Fremanezumab Prophylaxis on the Response to Triptans and Also on the Incidence of Triggers, Hypersensitivity and Prodromal Symptoms of Patients with High-Frequency Episodic Migraine.

Objective: To investigate whether the incidence of triggers, prodromal symptoms, hypersensitivity symptoms accompanying headache and responses to triptans were modified during a continuous 9-month fremanezumab therapy for migraine prophylaxis. Patients and methods: We studied 63 patients with high-frequency episodic migraine (HFEM). Enrolled patients received fremanezumab for nine consecutive months before defining the response rates and being stratified into treatment responders (≥50-74% reduction in monthly headache days (MHDs)), super responders (≥75%), partial non-responders (<50%) and super non-responders (<30%). Through headache diaries, patients provided data in order to document the impact of fremanezumab on the incidence of triggers, associated symptoms followed by headache and response to triptans (the use of the migraine treatment optimization questionnaire-4 (mTOQ-4)) during the 9-month treatment period. Results: Fremanezumab had early (after 3 monthly cycles) beneficial effects on the response to triptans in the majority of responders with relevant increases in mTOQ-4 scoring, but also in half of partial non-responders. A significant reduction in median days with migraine-associated symptoms was seen in responders after 6 months of therapy with fremanezumab, mostly for osmophobia, photophobia, phonophobia and nausea/vomiting, but partial non-responders also benefited. Likewise, the incidence of self-reported prodromal symptoms was significantly reduced in responders and was modestly diminished in partial non-responders. Triggers remained unaffected in both responders and non-responders. Conclusions: Fremanezumab given for at least 6-9 months may exert neuromodulatory effects in the migraine brain. These effects could result both in the inhibition of migraine chronification, but also in the diminishing of the magnitude of migraine-associated symptoms, mostly in responders and in partial non-responders.

Long-term effectiveness and tolerability of galcanezumab in patients with migraine excluded from clinical trials: real world evidence of 1055 patients with 1 year follow-up from the Galca-Only registry

BackgroundGalcanezumab has shown efficacy and effectiveness in the treatment of episodic and chronic migraine (CM), however, the population represented in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) differs from the population observed in real-world setting. To describe the long-term effectiveness and tolerability of galcanezumab in clinical practice in patients excluded from RCTs.MethodsMulticenter prospective cohort study of consecutive patients with chronic and high-frequency episodic migraine (HFEM) with prior failure to three or more migraine preventive drugs, treated with galcanezumab and followed up for 12 months.ResultsWe enrolled 1055 patients, aged 50 (IQR: 42–58), 82.9% female, 76.4% chronic migraine, 69% with at least one exclusion criteria for RCTs, including age > 65 (n = 121), concomitant use of onabotulinumtoxinA (n = 185), daily headache at baseline (n = 347), chronic painful syndromes (n = 206), fibromyalgia (n = 101) or treatment resistance (n = 957). The median number of prior preventive treatments was 4 (IQR: 3–5). The retention rate was 90.8%, 76.8% and 71.4% at 3, 6 and 12 months. The main reasons for treatment discontinuation were lack of effectiveness (21.1%) and inadequate tolerability (6.6%).The 30%, 50% and 75% responder rates were 62.6%, 49.8% and 24.2% between weeks 8–12; 60.9%, 48.8% and 24.6% between weeks 20–24; and 59.7%, 48.3% and 24.6% between weeks 44–48. Daily headache at baseline (OR: 0.619; 95%CI: 0.469–0.817) and patient’s age (OR: 1.016; 95%CI: 1.005–1.026) were associated with 50% response at weeks 20–24. The variables that were associated with a higher reduction of headache days between weeks 20–24 were patient’s age (0.068; 95% CI: 0.018–0.119) and headache days per month at baseline (0.451; 95% CI: 0.319–0.583), while psychiatric comorbidity (-1.587; 95% CI: -2.626—0.538) and daily headache at baseline (-2.718; 95% CI: -4.58—0.869) were associated with fewer reduction in the number of headache days between weeks 20–24.ConclusionThis study provides class III evidence of effectiveness and tolerability of galcanezumab in patients with HFEM and CM with comorbidities that would result in exclusion of the pivotal RCTs. Nonetheless, the clinical results over a 12-month period were similar to the efficacy observed in randomized controlled trials. Few patients discontinued the drug due to inadequate tolerability.

The Effect of Three Different Ketogenic Diet Protocols on Migraine and Fatigue in Chronic and High-Frequency Episodic Migraine: A Pilot Study.

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of three different ketogenic diets on migraine and fatigue in chronic and high-frequency episodic migraineurs. 76 patients with migraine were treated with the KD for at least three months. Three different KD protocols were used (2:1 KD, LGID, and VLCKD). We evaluated the fatigue severity scale (FSS), migraine frequency, migraine intensity, MIDAS, and HIT-6 at the baseline and 3-month follow-up, and we compared the results. We also correlated the mean FSS reduction with the mean migraine frequency, migraine intensity, BMI, fat mass, free-fat mass, MIDAS, and HIT-6 reduction. FSS improved from 4.977 ± 1.779 to 3.911 ± 1.779 at the 3-month follow-up (p < 0.001). This improvement was significant in both high-frequency and chronic migraineurs. Moreover, the three KD protocols effectively improved migraine intensity, frequency, MIDAS, and HIT-6. There was a mild correlation between mean FSS reduction (p < 0.001), mean MIDAS (p = 0.001), and HIT-6 (p = 0.002) reduction. The VLCKD, LGID, and 2:1 KD may improve migraine intensity, frequency, and fatigue in chronic and high-frequency episodic migraineurs.

Very-low-calorie ketogenic diet vs hypocaloric balanced diet in the prevention of high-frequency episodic migraine: the EMIKETO randomized, controlled trial

BackgroundMigraine is the second world’s cause of disability. Among non-pharmacological treatments, nutritional intervention, particularly ketogenic diet, represents one of the most promising approaches.MethodsThis a prospective, single center, randomized, controlled study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of a very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) compared to a hypocaloric balanced diet (HBD) in migraine prophylaxis in patients affected by high-frequency episodic migraine (HFEM) with a Body Mass Index (BMI) > 27 kg/m2. Fifty-seven patients were randomly assigned to a VLCKD (group 1) or HBD (group 2). Group 1 patients followed a VLCKD for 8 weeks, followed by a low calorie diet (LCD, weeks 9–12), and a HBD (weeks 13–24), whereas group 2 patients followed a HBD from week 0 to 24. Anthropometric indexes, urine and blood chemistry were assessed at enrollment, baseline, weeks 4, 8, 12, and 24. Migraine characteristics were evaluated at baseline, weeks 8, 12 and 24. Change in monthly migraine days (MMDs) at weeks 5–8 compared to baseline was the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints encompassed changes in visual analogue scale (VAS), Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6) and Short Form Health Survey-36 (SF-36) scores. We also studied effects on circulating lymphocytes and markers of inflammation, changes in plasma aldosterone and renin levels before and after VLCKD or HBD treatment.ResultsReduction from baseline in MMDs was greater in VLCKD compared to HBD group at week 8 (p = 0.008), at week 12 (p = 0.007), when ketosis had been interrupted by carbohydrates reintroduction, and at week 24 (p = 0.042), when all patients were following the same dietary regimen. Quality of life scores (SF-36) were improved in VLCKD group at week 8 and 12, and were also improved in HBD group, but only at week 12. Weight-loss was significantly higher in VLCKD group at week 8 (p = 0.002) and week 12 (p = 0.020). At the end of the study weight loss was maintained in VLCKD group whereas a slight weight regain was observed in HBD group. Inflammatory indexes, namely C reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and total white blood cell count (WBC) were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in VLCKD group at week 12. Aldosterone plasma level were significantly increased in both groups at week 8, particularly in VLCKD group. However, electrolytes and renin plasma levels were never altered throughout the study in both groups.ConclusionsVLCKD is more effective than HBD in reducing MMD in patients with HFEM and represents an effective prophylaxis in patients with overweight/obesity.Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04360148.

Efficacy of Erenumab for Migraine Prevention in Japanese Patients with Episodic and Chronic Migraine: Results of a Post-Hoc Pooled Analysis.

Erenumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody against the calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor, is approved in Japan for the prevention of adult migraine. This post-hoc analysis evaluated the efficacy of erenumab in Japanese patients with low-frequency episodic migraine (LFEM) versus those with high-frequency episodic migraine (HFEM) and chronic migraine (CM). A pooled analysis of data from the 24-week double-blind treatment phases (DBTPs) of phase 2 and 3 studies evaluated the efficacy of once-monthly erenumab 70mg in Japanese patients. Patients were categorized into subgroups by monthly migraine days (MMD): LFEM and HFEM/CM. The main efficacy outcomes were change from baseline in MMD, acute migraine-specific medication treatment days (MSMD), and six-item Headache Impact Test (HIT-6™) scores. Patients with migraine (n=532) were included in the analysis (LFEM, n=215; HFEM, n=215; CM, n=102). Overall, mean age was 44years, 86.5% were female, and 63.3-88.2% had used or were taking migraine preventive treatment at baseline. Throughout the DBTP, the placebo-adjusted mean change from baseline in MMD, MSMD, and HIT-6 scores with erenumab was similar across LFEM and HFEM/CM subgroups. The proportion of patients achieving at least 50% or 75% reduction from baseline in MMD and MSMD was similar across migraine frequency groups. Reduction in MMD moderately correlated with improvement in HIT-6 scores in the LFEM and HFEM/CM groups. Furthermore, the proportion of patients converting from HFEM/CM to LFEM during the DBTP was higher in the erenumab group than in the placebo. In Japanese patients with different migraine frequencies, erenumab treatment resulted in significant improvements in MMD, MSMD, and headache impact. This pooled analysis of data from phase 2 and 3 studies increases confidence that erenumab is efficacious in patients with high MMD, which is associated with increased disability.

Real-world evidence on the economic implications of CGRP-mAbs as preventive treatment of migraine

BackgroundCalcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are approved in Europe as preventive treatment of migraine in patients with at least four monthly migraine days. Migraine gives rise to direct healthcare expenditures, but most of the economic burden of migraine is socioeconomic. Evidence on the socioeconomic implications of CGRP-mAbs is, however, limited. There is an increasing interest in supplementing evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with real-world evidence (RWE) to aid clinical decision making and inform decision making for migraine management. The objective of this study was to generate RWE on the health economic and socioeconomic implications of administering CGRP-mAbs to patients with chronic migraine (CM) and episodic migraine (high-frequency episodic migraine (HFEM), and low-frequency episodic migraine (LFEM)).MethodsReal-world data (RWD) on Danish patients with CM, HFEM, and LFEM were collected via two Danish patient organisations and two informal patient networks and used in a tailored economic model. Treatment effects of CGRP-mAbs on health economic and socioeconomic outcomes were estimated using a sub-sample of patients with CM who receive CGRP-mAb treatment.ResultsA total of 362 patients (CM: 199 [55.0%], HFEM: 80 [22.1%], LFEM: 83 [22.9%]) were included in the health economic model (mean age 44.1 ± 11.5, 97.5% female, 16.3% received treatment with CGRP-mAbs), and 303 patients were included in the socioeconomic model (15.2% received treatment with CGRP-mAbs). Health economic savings from initiating CGRP-mAb treatment totalled €1,179 per patient with CM per year on average (HFEM: €264, LFEM: €175). Socioeconomic gains from initiating CGRP-mAb treatment totalled an average gross domestic product (GDP) gain of €13,329 per patient with CM per year (HFEM: €10,449, LFEM: €9,947).ConclusionOur results indicate that CGRP-mAbs have the potential to reduce both health economic expenditures and the socioeconomic burden of migraine. Health economic savings are used as a basis for health technology assessments (HTAs) of the cost-effectiveness of new treatments, which implies that important socioeconomic gains may not be given enough importance in decision making for migraine management.

The Management of High-Frequency Episodic and Chronic Migraines with Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Monoclonal Antibody

Introduction. High prevalence of migraine and its impact on quality of life requires the development of original agents. In 2020, fremanezumab, a new calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibody was authorized in Russia.&#x0D; Objective: to evaluate safety and effectiveness of fremanezumab in patients with high-frequency episodic migraine (HF EM) and chronic migraine (CM).&#x0D; Materials and methods. We assessed 60 patients at the age of 35.5 8.96 years (85%, females) with HFEM and CM with and without aura who were either receiving preventive treatment or not. Fremanezumab was administered subcutaneously at a single dose of 675 mg. The study participants were followed-up for efficacy in 3 months. The investigators assessed change in the number of days with headache per month as well as headache intensity, its impact on the daily activities, anxiety, and depression.&#x0D; Results. By the end of month 3 post dosing, the number of days with headache decreased by 50% in 76.7% of participants where 77.8% of individuals suffered from HF EM and 72.7% of individuals had CM while headache intensity decreased in all the patients equally. No response (decrease in the number of days with headache by 30%) was reported in 15% of participants including 14.8% of individuals with HF EM and 15.2% of individuals with CM. By the end of study month 3, 81% of participants demonstrated no anxiety symptoms and 79% of participants showed no depression with significant MIDAS and HIT-6 score decline in both groups. Only 3 (5%) patients noted adverse events (redness, itching at the administration site).&#x0D; Conclusion. We documented higher fremanezumab safety and effectiveness in patients with EM and CM in real-world practice as compared to fremanezumab safety and efficacy in randomized clinical trials. A single dose of fremanezumab (675 mg) resulted in effective migraine prevention, decline in comorbid anxiety and depression, and improved quality of life during 3-month follow-up.

Trigeminocervical pain sensitivity during the migraine cycle depends on headache frequency

ObjectiveThis experimental study aimed to assess pain sensitivity in low-frequency episodic migraine (LFEM), high-frequency episodic migraine (HFEM), and chronic migraine (CM) patients across the different phases of the migraine cycle.MethodIn this observational, experimental study, clinical characteristics (diary and time from the last/next headache attack), and quantitative sensory testing (QST) (wind-up pain ratio (WUR) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) from the trigeminal area and PPT from the cervical spine) was performed. LFEM, HFEM, and CM were assessed in each of the 4 migraine phases (HFEM and LFEM: interictal, preictal, ictal, and postictal; CM: interictal and ictal) and compared vs. each other’s (matched for the phase) and controls.ResultsA total of 56 controls, 105 LFEM, 74 HFEM, and 32 CM were included. No differences in QST parameters were observed between LFEM, HFEM, and CM in any of the phases.During the interictal phase and when comparing with controls the following were found: 1) LFEM had lower trigeminal PPT (p = 0.001) and 2) lower cervical PPT (p = 0.001). No differences were observed between HFEM or CM and healthy controls. During the ictal phase and when comparing with controls the following were found: HFEM and CM had 1) lower trigeminal PPTs (HFEM p = 0.001; CM = p < 0.001), 2) lower cervical PPT s (HFEM p = 0.007; CM p < 0.001), and 3) higher trigeminal WUR (HFEM p = 0.001, CM p = 0.006). No differences were observed between LFEM and healthy controls. During the preictal phase and when comparing with controls the following were found: 1) LFEM had lower cervical PPT (p = 0.007), 2) HFEM had lower trigeminal (p = 0.013) and 3) HFEM had lower cervical (p = .006) PPTs. During the postictal phase and when comparing with controls the following were found: 1) LFEM had lower cervical PPT (p = 0.003), 2) HFEM had lower trigeminal PPT (p = 0.005), and 3) and HFEM had lower cervical (p = 0.007) PPTs.ConclusionThis study suggested that HFEM patients have a sensory profile matching CM better than LFEM. When assessing pain sensitivity in migraine populations, the phase with respects to headache attacks is of utmost importance and can explain the inconsistency in pain sensitivity data reported in the literature.

Could efficacy at 1week after galcanezumab administration for patients with migraine predict responders at 3months? A real world study.

In real-world studies, it is unclear whether galcanezumab has a significant effect in the first week after administration. We retrospectively assessed 55 high-frequency episodic migraine (HFEM) and chronic migraine patients who received three galcanezumab doses. Mean changes in the numbers of weekly migraine days (WMDs) during month 1 and migraine days per month (MMDs) after 1-3months of treatment were obtained. Clinical factors related to a ≥ 50% response rate (RR) at month 3 were analyzed. The prediction of ≥ 50% responders at month 3 using different weekly RRs at week 1 (W1) was evaluated. The RR at W1 was calculated with the following formula: RR (%) = 100 - [(WMDs at W1/baseline WMD) × 100]. The number of MMDs significantly improved from baseline to 1, 2 and 3months. The ≥ 50% RR was 50.9% at 3months. The number of WMDs decreased significantly from baseline to week 1 (- 1.6 ± 1.7days), week 2 (- 1.2 ± 1.6days), week 3 (- 1.0 ± 1.3days), and week 4 (- 1.1 ± 1.6days) during month 1. The RR at W1 was largest (44.6 ± 42.2%). The ≥ 30%, ≥ 50% and ≥ 75% RRs at W1 were significantly predictive of a ≥ 50% RR at 3months. Logistic regression analysis predicting a ≥ 50% RR at month 3 showed that the RR at W1 was the sole contributing factor. In our study, galcanezumab showed a significant effect in the first week after administration, and the RR at W1 could predict the RR at 3months.

Population-Based Characterization of Menstrual Migraine and Proposed Diagnostic Criteria

There is a need for better recognition and more extensive research into menstrual migraine (MM) in the general population, and a revision of the diagnostic criteria for MM is warranted to move the field forward. Increased understanding of MM is crucial for improving clinical care, diagnosis, and therapy for MM. To assess the clinical characteristics of MM, including severity and treatment response, and to propose new diagnostic criteria for pure MM and menstrually related migraine. This is a case-control study of Danish individuals with migraine. All individuals completed a 105-item validated diagnostic migraine questionnaire, sent via the Danish electronic mailing system (e-Boks) between May and August 2020, allowing diagnosis of pure MM and menstrually related migraine by the International Classification of Headache Disorders, Third Edition (ICHD-3). Data analysis was performed from September 2021 to November 2022. Diagnosis of migraine. Clinical characteristics of women with MM and women with nonmenstrual migraine (non-MM) were compared using the ICHD-3 diagnostic criteria. A simulation of the risk of randomly misclassifying MM was based on number of migraine attacks during 3 menstrual cycles (3 × 28 days), and simulation analyses were performed using 100 000 permutations of random migraine attacks in migraine patients. A total of 12 618 individuals, including 9184 women, with migraine participated in the study. Among the women with migraine, the prevalence of MM was 16.6% (1532 women), and the prevalence of non-MM was 45.9% (4216 women). The mean (SD) age was 38.7 (8.7) years for women with MM and 37.0 (9.2) years for women with non-MM. Of the 1532 women with MM, 410 (26.8%) fulfilled ICHD-3 diagnostic criteria for pure MM, 1037 (67.7%) fulfilled ICHD-3 diagnostic criteria for menstrually related migraine, and 152 (9.9%) fulfilled proposed diagnostic criteria for rare pure MM. MM was associated with a higher frequency of migraine-accompanying symptoms (odds ratio [OR], 1.98; 95% CI, 1.71-2.29), more frequent (OR, 7.21; 95% CI, 5.77-9.03) and more severe (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.13-1.21) migraine attacks, lower frequency of nonmigraine headache (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.18-0.49), an overall greater response to treatment with triptans (OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.24-2.24), better improvement of migraine attacks during late pregnancy (OR, 5.10; 95% CI, 2.17-14.00), and faster reappearance of migraine attacks post partum (OR, 3.19; 95% CI, 2.40-4.25). Hormonal contraceptive-related MM was associated with a higher prevalence of migraine without aura than migraine related to spontaneous menstruation (OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.62-2.06). Otherwise, no differences between hormonal and spontaneous MM were observed. The risk of random diagnostic misclassification of ICHD-3 menstrually related migraine in women with high frequency episodic migraine was 43%. This risk was reduced to 3% when applying the proposed criteria for menstrually related migraine. In this case-control study, MM in the general population had clinical characteristics that were quantitively different from those of non-MM. Detailed descriptive data and suggested improved diagnostic criteria for pure MM and menstrually related migraine were provided.

Migraine Disability Improvement during Treatment with Galcanezumab in Patients with Chronic and High Frequency Episodic Migraine

The aim of the present study was to assess the migraine outcome, in particular migraine disability, in chronic (CM) and high frequency episodic migraine (HFEM) patients in treatment with galcanezumab. The present study was conducted at the Headache Centre of Spedali Civili of Brescia. Patients were treated with galcanezumab 120 mg monthly. Clinical and demographical information were collected at the baseline (T0). Data about outcome, analgesics consumption and disability (MIDAS and HIT-6 scores) were collected quarterly. Fifty-four consecutive patients were enrolled. Thirty-seven patients had a diagnosis of CM, 17 of HFEM. During treatment, patients reported a significant reduction in terms of mean headache/migraine days (p < 0.001), the attacks' pain intensity (p = 0.001) and monthly consumed analgesics (p < 0.001). The MIDAS and HIT-6 scores also documented a significant improvement (p < 0.001). At the baseline, all patients documented a severe degree of disability (MIDAS score ≥ 21). Following six months of treatment, only 29.2% of patients still documented a MIDAS score ≥ 21, with one third of patients documenting little or no disability. A > 50% MIDAS reduction, compared to baseline, was observed in up to 94.6% of patients, following the first three months of treatment. A similar outcome was found for HIT-6 scores. A significant positive correlation was found between headache days and MIDAS at T3 and T6 (T6 > T3), but not baseline. Monthly prophylactic treatment with galcanezumab was found to be effective in both CM and HFEM, especially in reducing migraine burden and disability.

Comparison study between erenumab, fremanezumab, and galcanezumab in the preventive treatment of high frequency episodic migraine and chronic migraine.

The treatment of migraine now includes the possibility of using the anti CGRP monoclonal antibodies erenumab, fremanezumab and galcanezumab. Registration studies and real life studies have shown excellent efficacy and extraordinary tolerability of these treatments. Little is known about the possible differences between the three treatments and this observational study was conducted with a view to comparing the efficacy, safety and impact that anti-CGRP monclonal antibodies have on additional parameters such as disability in social, family and work activities.

Feasibility and effect of mindfulness approach by web for chronic migraine and high-frequency episodic migraine without aura at in adolescents during and after COVID emergency: preliminary findings.

BackgroundMigraine disorders are common among adolescents: however, the efficacy of medical prophylaxis is limited in this population. This study reports preliminary findings on the feasibility and effect of a mindfulness-based intervention delivered via web for adolescents with chronic migraine (CM) and high-frequency episodic migraine (HFEM) without aura.MethodsPatients with CM or HFEM received six session of a mindfulness-based treatment and were followed-up for 6 months as part of a larger study. Repeated measure analyses were carried out to test the effect of this behavioral intervention.ResultsA total of 12 patients were included in this analysis. A significant improvement was observed up to 6 months for headache frequency, symptoms of depression, and catastrophizing, and up to 3 months for patients’ disability. No change was detected for patients’ anxiety level.ConclusionsThe results of our study provides initial support to the hypothesis that patients’ education and mindfulness-based programs can be very useful in populations of adolescents with CM or HFEM.

Single-Pulse Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for the preventive treatment of difficult-to-treat migraine: a 12-month prospective analysis

BackgroundInitial evidence have shown the short-term efficacy of sTMS in the acute and preventive treatment of migraine. It is unknown whether this treatment approach in the long-term is effective and well tolerated in difficult-to-treat migraine.MethodsThis is a prospective, single centre, open-label, real-world analysis conducted in difficult-to-treat patients with high-frequency episodic migraine (HFEM) and chronic migraine (CM) with and without medication overuse headache (MOH), who were exposed to sTMS therapy. Patients responding to a three-month sTMS treatment, continued the treatment and were assessed again at month 12. The cut-off outcome for treatment continuation was reduction in the monthly moderate to severe headache days (MHD) of at least 30% (headache frequency responders) and/or a ≥ 4-point reduction in headache disability using the Headache Impact test-6 (HIT-6) (headache disability responders).ResultsOne hundred fifty-three patients were included in the analysis (F:M = 126:27, median age 43, IQR 32.3–56.8). At month 3, 93 out of 153 patients (60%) were responders to treatment. Compared to baseline, the median reduction in monthly headache days (MHD) for all patients at month 3 was 5.0 days, from 18.0 (IQR: 12.0–26.0) to 13.0 days (IQR: 5.75–24.0) (P = 0.002, r = − 0.29) and the median reduction in monthly migraine days (MMD) was 4.0 days, from 13.0 (IQR: 8.75–22.0) to 9.0 (IQR: 4.0–15.25) (P = 0.002, r = − 0.29). Sixty-nine out of 153 patients (45%) reported a sustained response to sTMS treatment at month 12. The percentage of patients with MOH was reduced from 52% (N = 79/153) at baseline to 19% (N = 29/153) at month 3, to 8% (N = 7/87) at month 12. There was an overall median 4-point reduction in HIT-6 score, from 66 (IQR: 64–69) at baseline to 62 at month 3 (IQR: 56–65) (P < 0.001, r = − 0.51). A total of 35 mild/moderate adverse events were reported by 23 patients (15%). One patient stopped sTMS treatment due to scalp sensitivity.ConclusionsThis open label analysis suggests that sTMS may be an effective, well-tolerated treatment option for the long-term prevention of difficult-to-treat CM and HFEM.

Diagnosis, consultation, treatment, and impact of migraine in the US: Results of the OVERCOME (US) study.

ObjectiveThe ObserVational survey of the Epidemiology, tReatment and Care of MigrainE (OVERCOME; United States) study is a multicohort, longitudinal web survey that assesses symptomatology, consulting, diagnosis, treatment, and impact of migraine in the United States.BackgroundRegularly updating population‐based views of migraine in the United States provides a method for assessing the quality of ongoing migraine care and identifying unmet needs.MethodsThe OVERCOME (US) 2018 migraine cohort involved: (I) creating a demographically representative sample of US adults using quota sampling (n = 97,478), (II) identifying people with active migraine in the past year via a validated migraine diagnostic questionnaire and/or self‐reported medical diagnosis of migraine (n = 24,272), and (III) assessing consultation, diagnosis, and treatment of migraine (n = 21,143). The current manuscript evaluated whether those with low frequency episodic migraine (LFEM; 0–3 monthly headache days) differed from other categories on outcomes of interest.ResultsAmong the migraine cohort (n = 21,143), 19,888 (94.1%) met our International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition‐based case definition of migraine and 12,905 (61.0%) self‐reported a medical diagnosis of migraine. Respondents’ mean (SD) age was 42.2 (15.0) years; 15,697 (74.2%) were women. Having at least moderate disability was common (n = 8965; 42.4%) and around half (n = 10,783; 51.0%) had consulted a medical professional for migraine care in the past year. Only 4792 (22.7%) of respondents were currently using a triptan. Overall, 8539 (40.4%) were eligible for migraine preventive medication and 3555 (16.8%) were currently using migraine preventive medication. Those with LFEM differed from moderate and high frequency episodic migraine and chronic migraine on nearly all measures of consulting, diagnosis, and treatment.ConclusionThe OVERCOME (US) 2018 cohort revealed slow but steady progress in diagnosis and preventive treatment of migraine. However, despite significant impact among the population, many with migraine have unmet needs related to consulting for migraine, migraine diagnosis, and getting potentially beneficial migraine treatment. Moreover, it demonstrated the heterogeneity and varying unmet needs within episodic migraine.