Drug reduces work productivity lost to migraines

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Preventive treatment with topiramate (Topamax) is associated with a reduction in lost productivity due to migraines, researchers report.

Using data from two trials, Dr. Jennifer H. Lofland, of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, and colleagues examined whether topiramate use was associated with improved workplace productivity among patients with migraine headaches.

Patients included in the trials had a physician diagnosis of migraine and experienced 3 to 12 migraines per month. As part of the trials, the subjects completed a 5-item survey for each migraine attack, which included information on the number of hours absent from work, number of hours worked with a migraine, and the degree of effectiveness while working with a migraine.

Total lost productivity was calculated as absenteeism plus the number of hours employees worked during a migraine.

The analysis included 325 subjects. Of these, 162 received topiramate and 163 received inactive “placebo,” or sugar pill. The results of the study are published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

On average, topiramate use reduced total lost productivity from 14.6 to 5.1 hours per month. With placebo use, a reduction in lost productivity was also seen, but it was less dramatic.

Compared with patients given placebo, those given topiramate had lower rates of both absenteeism and hours worked during a migraine.

“The results of our study,” the team concludes, “suggest that employers should have treatment available for their employees with migraine,” which may reduce absenteeism rates and hours worked during a migraine.

SOURCE: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, March 2007.

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