OBJECTIVE

To assess the effectiveness and safety of Erenumab, a monoclonal antibody to calcitonin gene-related peptide receptors, in patients with high-frequency episodic migraine (HFEM) in real-life study.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

35 patients with HFEM without aura (≥8—14 attacks per month) (30 females, mean age 32.4±8.1) received monthly subcutaneous administration of Erenumab 70 mg for 3 months. The primary endpoint was the change in monthly migraine days (MMDs) from baseline, the secondary endpoint was the proportion of patients who achieved a 50% reduction in the number of days with headache. The change in pain intensity, change in the number of days of use of acute migraine—specific medication, the effect on daily activity (HIT-6 scale, MIDAS), anxiety and depression (the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) were assessed.

RESULTS

At the end of the third month Erenumab decreased MMDs by 5±3.6 (p=0.00000). A 50% reduction in the mean number of migraine days per month was achieved for 60% of patients, the intensity of headache according to the visual analogue scale from 8±1.2 points to 5±2 points (p=0.00000), monthly analgesics intake passed from 11±7 to 4.5±3.7 (p=0.000001). 25.7% of patients did not respond to treatment, showing less than a 30% decrease in the number of days with headache. A decrease in pain intensity correlated with a decrease in anxiety (from 8±4 to 6±4 points (p=0.003)) and depression (from 6±4 to 4±3 points (p=0.0004)) according to HADS, reduced HIT-6 scale from 65±6 to 55±7 points (p=0.00000) and MIDAS from 45 [33; 67] points to 16 [5; 33] (p=0.000004)). Patients reported good tolerability of Erenumab. 25.7% of patients noted a tendency to constipation. No patient discontinued treatment due to adverse events.

CONCLUSION

Real-life study confirmed the efficacy and safety of Erenumab in the treatment of HFEM, a decrease in the severity of comorbid anxiety and depression, and social maladjustment.