Date of Award

2018

Degree Type

Selective Evidence-Based Medicine Review

Degree Name

Master of Science in Health Sciences - Physician Assistant

Department

Physician Assistant Studies

Department Chair

John Cavenagh, MBA, PhD, PA-C

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Are Monoclonal Anti-CGRP Antibodies Effective in the Treatment of Adults with Migraines?”

Study Design: A review of three randomized control trials (RTCs) written in English, published in 2014, 2015, and 2016.

Data Sources: Each study was published in a peer-reviewed journals found via the PubMed database. These studies measured the effectiveness of monoclonal anti-CGRP antibodies in relieving migraines in adults.

Outcomes Measured: The outcomes measured in these trials were by how much monoclonal anti-CGRP antibodies lead to a decrease from baseline in the frequency of migraine hours or days, as compared to a placebo. Migraine days were recorded by patients using an electronic headache diary, and defined by the International Classification of Headache Disorders II.

Results: Bigal (2016) and co-authors demonstrated significant improvement in number of headache hours at the end of the first week of treatment using 900-mg of TEV-48125 as compared to the placebo group. Bigal (2015) and co-authors found a higher decrease in number of headache days during weeks 9-12 in the group receiving 225 mg of TEV-48125 over the group receiving the placebo. Dodick et al also demonstrated a higher decrease in number of headache days by weeks 5-8 in the group receiving ALD403 compared to the placebo group.

Conclusion: The studies reviewed in this paper demonstrate that monoclonal anti-CGRP antibodies are an effective treatment for adults with migraines. Although this is a fairly novel therapy with further research still underway, this new drug class is a hopeful therapy option for adults suffering from migraine headaches.

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