Abstract
Objectives We studied the impact of the pandemic on Botox treatment and treatment effect in patients with chronic migraine at 1.5 years into the pandemic, in headache clinics in different countries.
Methods We carried out a multicentre survey of patients with chronic migraine being managed in headache clinics from July to October 2021 in 5 countries (Australia, Italy, Spain, Colombia and Germany). We collected information including demographics, comorbidities, current medications, acute medications use, monthly headache and migraine days (MHD), MHD 2 years ago in 2019, Depression anxiety stress-21 scale (DASS21) scores, Headache Impact Test 6 (HIT6), pandemic and Botox related questions. The primary outcome measured was change in MHD.
Results We collected data from 49 patients (average age 46 years old, 80% female). At baseline, the current preventive was Botox in 47 out of the 49 patients, monthly acute medication use was 6.6 (0–30), the DASS21 score was 21.8 (0–66) and HIT6 score 59 (40–71). The 2021 MHD was 11.3 (1–30) and the 2019 MHD was 18 (3–30), with the change in MHD -6.7. All patients were affected by the pandemic in many aspects including work, family, social, travel restrictions. 15/45 said their migraines worsened with the pandemic. 39/45 did not have a change in the effect of Botox treatment.
Conclusions Headache and migraine control improved by -6.7 days per month compared to 2 years ago. Headache centres had minimised disruptions to patients receiving Botox for their migraine treatment. The Botox treatment effect remained stable in the pandemic.
