Migraine Disability and Severity Improvement during Long-Term Treatment with Erenumab

The aim of the present study was to assess erenumab efficacy in migraine disability and intensity throughout the first treatment cycle, discontinuation, and the first 6 months of re-treatment in patients with high-frequency episodic migraine. The study design was retrospective and observational. Inclusion criteria were the following: diagnosis of high-frequency episodic migraine and ongoing treatment with erenumab 140 mg currently at their second treatment cycle. Data regarding migraine frequency, disability (MIDAS score), and severity of attacks (NRS score) were collected quarterly. Twenty-five patients were enrolled. At the end of the first treatment cycle, compared to baseline, a significant improvement of MIDAS scores was found (13.5 +/- 11.1 vs. 72.5 +/- 32.1; p = 0.005), with a subsequent worsening during treatment suspension (30.1 +/- 26.9; p = 0.03). Pain intensity remained unmodified during the first treatment cycle (NRS score baseline: 7.6 +/- 0.9 vs. 12 months: 7.5 +/- 0.7; p = 0.13). During re-treatment, MIDAS scores documented a new significant improvement, reaching the same level at 6 months of re-treatment as at the end of the first cycle (30.1 +/- 26.9 vs. 12.9 +/- 5.4; p = 0.03). A significant improvement, compared to baseline, was observed for pain intensity during re-treatment (6.8 +/- 2.2 vs. 5.6 +/- 0.9 at RT3 vs. 5.2 +/- 1.4 at RT6; p = 0.05). In conclusion, during re-treatment with erenumab 140 mg, migraine pain intensity and disability documented a significant and progressive improvement. Our data confirm the long-term efficacy, although in a very limited case series, of monoclonal antibodies targeting CGRP beyond headache frequency reduction.

Automated summary

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of erenumab 140 mg in the treatment of migraine disability and intensity in patients with high-frequency episodic migraine. The results showed a significant and progressive improvement in migraine pain intensity and disability during re-treatment.