Effect of Biological Therapy on Symptom Burden and Functional Disability in Patients with Migraine: A Before-and-After Analysis

Albina Ličina; Andrej Fabjan; Janez Žibert; Tina Kamenšek

doi:10.2478/sjph-2026-0005

Abstract

Introduction

This study aims to assess the effectiveness of biological therapies in reducing migraine-related symptom burden and functional disability, including reductions in monthly migraine days, pain intensity, and analgesic consumption, among patients with migraine in Slovenia.

Methods

This retrospective study analysed 92 adult patients with migraine receiving prophylactic biological treatment at the University Medical Centre Ljubljana. Average number of monthly migraine days (MMD), average analgesic consumption, pain intensity (VAS), and functional disability score (MIDAS) were collected before treatment and after 3 and 12 months. Statistical analysis involved the Friedman test to assess changes over time, followed by Wilcoxon tests with Bonferroni correction for post hoc comparisons.

Results

83 patients completed 12 months of treatment. Significant reductions (p < 0.001) were observed in MMD (median 10 vs. 2 days), analgesic consumption, VAS scores (median 8 vs. 4), and MIDAS scores after 3 months (median 19 vs. 2), sustained at 12 months. Treatment discontinuation occurred in 9 patients due to inefficacy or side effects. Most patients tolerated biologics well, with mild adverse effects reported.

Conclusions

Biological therapies significantly reduced migraine-related symptom burden and functional disability, including decreases in migraine frequency, pain intensity, and analgesic use, in a Slovenian migraine cohort. These findings support the use of biologics as effective and safe options for migraine prevention in real-world clinical practice.

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