A Descriptive Observational Study on Prescription Pattern among Outpatients with migraine attending the Department of Neurology at SMS Hospital, Jaipur.

Migraine is a common, chronic, and debilitating neurovascular disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of moderate to severe headache, lasting between 4 and 72 hours. These headaches are typically unilateral and pulsating, worsening with routine physical activity. Migraines are often accompanied by autonomic nervous system dysfunction, nausea, and heightened sensitivity to light and sound. According to the World Health Organization, about half of the world’s adult population experiences a headache each year. Approximately 90% of those suffering from headaches experience a reduced ability to function, and 33% need to rest in bed during headache attacks. When managing any case of headache, it is crucial to determine the specific type using the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD) criteria before evaluating the response or resistance to any particular treatment. For terminating acute migraine attacks, commonly used pharmacotherapeutic options include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), 5HT1B/1D receptor agonists, and dopamine receptor antagonists. For prophylaxis, treatments often involve beta-blockers, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and flunarizine. Additionally, new drugs approved by the FDA in 2018, such as monoclonal antibodies targeting the CGRP pathway (Erenumab, Fremanezumab, and Galcanezumab) and Ubrogepant, a calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist, have been introduced. Ubrogepant is used for the immediate treatment of migraine with or without aura.(5)

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Network for Rational Use of Drugs (INRUD) core prescribing indicators are essential tools for assessing the quality and rationality of prescriptions at healthcare facilities. These indicators serve as a foundation for evaluating drug use in most drug utilization studies..

This study was conducted to evaluate several aspects related to migraine patients. Firstly, it aimed to assess the prescription patterns of drugs used to treat migraines, providing insights into the pharmacotherapeutic approaches employed by healthcare providers. secondly, the   assess the awareness of migraine among patients and how this awareness correlates with various demographic factors.  Finally, the study assessed the quality of life in migraine patients, considering how migraines impact their daily activities and overall well-being.

In the present tertiary care hospital setting, no previous studies have assessed the variability in prescription patterns for migraine patients. Similarly, very few studies have evaluated the effect of medications on the quality of life in migraine patients in India. Hence, this study was planned with the objectives of assessing the drug use patterns in the outpatient department (OPD) and analyzing the effects of antimigraine medications on health-related quality of life using the MIDAS score.