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Prescription Patterns and the Cost of Migraine Treatments in German General and Neurological Practices
Author(s) -
Jacob Louis,
Kostev Karel
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
pain practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1533-2500
pISSN - 1530-7085
DOI - 10.1111/papr.12520
Subject(s) - medicine , german , migraine , medical prescription , family medicine , psychiatry , pediatrics , pharmacology , archaeology , history
Objectives The aim of this study was to analyze prescription patterns and the cost of migraine treatments in general practices ( GP s) and neurological practices ( NP s) in Germany. Methods This study included 43,149 patients treated in GP s and 13,674 patients treated in NP s who were diagnosed with migraine in 2015. Ten different families of migraine therapy were included in the analysis: triptans, analgesics, anti‐emetics, beta‐blockers, antivertigo products, gastroprokinetics, anti‐epileptics, calcium channel blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, and other medications (all other classes used in the treatment of migraine including homeopathic medications). The share of migraine therapies and their costs were estimated for GP s and NP s. Results The mean age was 44.4 years in GP s and 44.1 years in NP s. Triptans and analgesics were the 2 most commonly prescribed families of drugs in all patients and in the 9 specific subgroups. Interestingly, triptans were more commonly prescribed in NP s than in GP s (30.9% to 55.0% vs. 30.0% to 44.7%), whereas analgesics were less frequently given in NP s than in GP s (11.5% to 17.2% vs. 35.3% to 42.4%). Finally, the share of patients who received no therapy was higher in NP s than in GP s (33.9% to 58.4% vs. 27.5% to 37.9%). The annual cost per patient was €66.04 in GP s and €94.71 in NP s. Finally, the annual cost per patient increased with age and was higher in women and in individuals with private health insurance coverage than in men and individuals with public health insurance coverage. Conclusion Triptans and analgesics were the 2 most commonly prescribed drugs for the treatment of migraine. Furthermore, approximately 30% to 40% of patients did not receive any therapy. Finally, the annual cost per patient was higher in NP s than in GP s.