Real-World Data on the Efficacy of OnabotulinumtoxinA Injections as Prophylactic Treatment for Migraine: A Retrospective Study from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (2016–2024)
摘要
Randomized controlled trials have established onabotulinumtoxinA as an effective prophylactic treatment for chronic migraine. However, real-world evidence in the Saudi population remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of onabotulinumtoxinA injections in patients with chronic migraine treated at a tertiary care center in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia between 2016 and 2024.
MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Migraine Disability Assessment Test (MIDAS) was used. Data on patients' demographics, number of onabotulinumtoxinA doses (155 U for each dose), pain level, days of headache in the 3 months following the last injection, and side effects experienced after each injection session were gathered.
ResultsAmong 133 patients studied, 85% were female, 56.4% were aged ≤ 40 years, and 66.9% had ≤ 14 headache days in the 3 months following the last injection. The median MIDAS score decreased from 28 (severe disability) to 8 (mild disability). Median headache days were reduced from 60 to 10 days. Patients with MIDAS Grade I had a significant higher number of onabotulinumtoxinA doses. A significant negative correlation was found between number of onabotulinumtoxinA doses and the MIDAS grade, pain level, and days of headache in the 3 months post injection. Side effects were experienced by 13.5% of patients, with ptosis being the most common.
ConclusionOnabotulinumtoxinA resulted in meaningful reductions in migraine-related disability, headache frequency, and pain intensity in patients with chronic migraine treated in a tertiary care center. These findings reinforce its role as an effective long-term preventive therapy and highlight the importance of maintaining consistent treatment cycles to sustain clinical benefit.