Simona Guerzoni1, Carlo Baraldi2, Umberto Pensato3, Valentina Favoni4, Flavia Lo Castro5, Maria Michela Cainazzo1, Sabina Cevoli4, Luca Pani1,6,7,8. 1. Medical Toxicology-Headache and Drug Abuse Research Center, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. 2. PhD School in Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. infocarlobaraldi@gmail.com. 3. Post-Graduate School of Neurology, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences of Bologna, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. 4. IRCCS Istituto Delle Scienze Neurologiche Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy. 5. Post-Graduate School of Pharmacology and Clinical Toxicology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. 6. Pharmacology Unit, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. 7. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, USA. 8. VeraSci, Durham, NC, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Erenumab is a monoclonal antibody acting against calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor which has been found effective even for the treatment of chronic migraine (CM) complicated with medication overuse headache (MOH). According to the present guidelines, the treatment with erenumab should continue for up to 1 year. The aim of the present study is to explore the evolution of patients affected by CM and MOH at the baseline, after erenumab discontinuation. METHODS: One hundred and eighty-five patients affected by CM and MOH were recruited and followed up after erenumab discontinuation. The number of migraine days per month, the number of painkillers taken per month, the number of days in which one medication was used for a month were collected every 30 days for the 3 months following erenumab suspension. RESULTS: At the 3rd month after suspension, patients displayed a significantly higher number of migraine days per month, a significantly higher painkiller consumption, and a significantly higher migraine-related disability. A high body mass index and the presence of aura were positively correlated with the relapse of CM and MOH. CONCLUSION: Patients affected by CM and MOH at the baseline displayed a significant worsening of their headaches after erenumab discontinuation.
BACKGROUND: Erenumab is a monoclonal antibody acting against calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor which has been found effective even for the treatment of chronic migraine (CM) complicated with medication overuse headache (MOH). According to the present guidelines, the treatment with erenumab should continue for up to 1 year. The aim of the present study is to explore the evolution of patients affected by CM and MOH at the baseline, after erenumab discontinuation. METHODS: One hundred and eighty-five patients affected by CM and MOH were recruited and followed up after erenumab discontinuation. The number of migraine days per month, the number of painkillers taken per month, the number of days in which one medication was used for a month were collected every 30 days for the 3 months following erenumab suspension. RESULTS: At the 3rd month after suspension, patients displayed a significantly higher number of migraine days per month, a significantly higher painkiller consumption, and a significantly higher migraine-related disability. A high body mass index and the presence of aura were positively correlated with the relapse of CM and MOH. CONCLUSION: Patients affected by CM and MOH at the baseline displayed a significant worsening of their headaches after erenumab discontinuation.