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Sumatriptan use in a large group-model health maintenance organization
1Kaiser Permanente, Rockville, MD 20849-6182, USA.
Summary
Sumatriptan effectively reduced migraine frequency and severity, improving patient quality of life and productivity. This migraine treatment also decreased healthcare resource utilization within the health maintenance organization.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Health Services Research
- Neurology
Background:
- Sumatriptan is a medication used for acute treatment of migraine headaches.
- Its inclusion in a health maintenance organization (HMO) formulary prompted an evaluation of its real-world effectiveness and impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the outcomes of sumatriptan use in a large group-model HMO.
- To evaluate its effects on migraine frequency, severity, quality of life, productivity, and healthcare resource utilization.
Main Methods:
- A one-year study following sumatriptan's addition to the HMO formulary.
- Patient selection based on drug-use criteria, initial response, and survey eligibility.
- Telephone surveys assessed migraine control, quality of life, and satisfaction; retrospective review analyzed resource utilization.
Main Results:
- Two-thirds of patients experienced migraine improvement; three-fourths found sumatriptan more effective than prior treatments.
- Mean monthly migraine headaches decreased from 7.4 to 4.2.
- Quality of life and productivity improved for most patients, with reduced work absence. Despite a 44% incidence of side effects, 90% intended to continue treatment.
Conclusions:
- Sumatriptan use in an HMO setting led to significant improvements in migraine management.
- Positive impacts were observed on patient quality of life, productivity, and reduced healthcare resource utilization.
- The study supports the favorable outcomes of including sumatriptan in HMO formularies for migraine treatment.