Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of botulinum toxin in reducing the frequency of migraine headaches.
Introduction: The literature provides contradictory results on the efficacy of this treatment. Thus, the objective of this metaanalysis, which includes double-blind randomized clinical trials, was to assess the effectiveness of botulinum toxin type A injections on changes in the frequency of migraines, its impact on the quality of life, but also its safety versus placebo when injected into pericranial muscles as a preventive treatment for migraines in adults.
Materials / method: The MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched to identify randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials that compared patients receiving botulinum toxin versus placebo injections in the head and neck muscles, for the preventive treatment of migraine. The primary outcome was change in the number of headache episodes per month from baseline to 3 months.
Results: There were 17 studies including a total of 3646 patients. Overall analysis reported a tendency in favor of botulinum toxin over placebo at 3 months, with a difference in the change of migraine frequency of -0.23 (95 percent CI, -0.47 to 0.02; p = 0.08). The reduction in frequency of chronic migraines was significant, with a mean differential change of -1.56 (95 percent CI, -3.05 to -0.07; p = 0.04). Analysis of chronic migraine frequency was also significant after 2 months. The findings also highlighted an improvement of the patient's quality of life at 3 months in the botulinum toxin group.
Conclusion: This meta-analysis reveals that botulinum toxin type A injections are superior to placebo for chronic migraines after 3 months of therapy. For the first time, a real benefit in patient quality of life is demonstrated with only few and mild adverse events.
Disclosures
Did you receive any funding to support your research for this TOPIC?
No
Were you provided with any honoraria, payment or other compensation for your work on this study?
No
Do you have any financial relationship with any entity which may closely compete with the medications, materials or instruments covered by your study?
No
Do you own or have you applied for any patents in conjunction with the instruments, medications or materials discussed in your study?
No
This work was not supported by any direct or non direct funding. It is under the author's own responsability