BACKGROUND: Triptans are the most commonly prescribed acute treatments for migraine; however, not all triptan users experience adequate response. Information on real-world resource use and costs associated with triptan insufficient response are limited. METHODS: A retrospective claims analysis using US commercial health plan data between 2012 and 2015 assessed healthcare resource use and costs in adults with a migraine diagnosis newly initiating triptans. Patients who either did not refill triptans but used other non-triptan medications or refilled triptans but also filled non-triptan medications over a 24-month follow-up period were designated as potential triptan insufficient responders. Patients who continued filling only triptans (i.e. triptan-only continuers) were designated as potential adequate responders. All-cause and migraine-related resource use and total (medical and pharmacy) costs over months 1-12 and months 13-24 were compared between triptan-only continuers and potential triptan insufficient responders. RESULTS: Among 10,509 new triptan users, 4371 (41%) were triptan-only continuers, 3102 (30%) were potential triptan insufficient responders, and 3036 (29%) did not refill their index triptan or fill non-triptan medications over 24 months' follow-up. Opioids were the most commonly used non-triptan treatment (68%) among potential triptan insufficient responders over 24 months of follow-up. Adjusted mean all-cause and migraine-related total costs were $5449 and $2905 higher, respectively, among potential triptan insufficient responders versus triptan-only continuers over the first 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: In a US commercial health plan, almost one-third of new triptan users were potential triptan insufficient responders and the majority filled opioid prescriptions. Potential triptan insufficient responder patients had significantly higher all-cause and migraine-related healthcare utilization and costs than triptan-only continuers.
BACKGROUND:Triptans are the most commonly prescribed acute treatments for migraine; however, not all triptan users experience adequate response. Information on real-world resource use and costs associated with triptaninsufficient response are limited. METHODS: A retrospective claims analysis using US commercial health plan data between 2012 and 2015 assessed healthcare resource use and costs in adults with a migraine diagnosis newly initiating triptans. Patients who either did not refill triptans but used other non-triptan medications or refilled triptans but also filled non-triptan medications over a 24-month follow-up period were designated as potential triptaninsufficient responders. Patients who continued filling only triptans (i.e. triptan-only continuers) were designated as potential adequate responders. All-cause and migraine-related resource use and total (medical and pharmacy) costs over months 1-12 and months 13-24 were compared between triptan-only continuers and potential triptaninsufficient responders. RESULTS: Among 10,509 new triptan users, 4371 (41%) were triptan-only continuers, 3102 (30%) were potential triptaninsufficient responders, and 3036 (29%) did not refill their index triptan or fill non-triptan medications over 24 months' follow-up. Opioids were the most commonly used non-triptan treatment (68%) among potential triptaninsufficient responders over 24 months of follow-up. Adjusted mean all-cause and migraine-related total costs were $5449 and $2905 higher, respectively, among potential triptaninsufficient responders versus triptan-only continuers over the first 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: In a US commercial health plan, almost one-third of new triptan users were potential triptaninsufficient responders and the majority filled opioid prescriptions. Potential triptaninsufficient responder patients had significantly higher all-cause and migraine-related healthcare utilization and costs than triptan-only continuers.
Entities:
Keywords:
Migraine; burden of illness; claims data; direct costs; migraine medication; payer costs; refill patterns; resource utilization
Authors: Sihui Zhao; Jordan E Lateiner; Richard B Lipton; Rashmi B Halker Singh; Dennis A Revicki; Anand R Shewale; David W Dodick Journal: J Headache Pain Date: 2022-04-25 Impact factor: 8.588
Authors: Linda Harris; Gilbert L'Italien; Anil Kumar; Prafullakumar Seelam; Chris LaVallee; Vladimir Coric; Richard B Lipton Journal: Headache Date: 2022-03-28 Impact factor: 5.311