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The Journal of Headache and Pain
Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain 1/2020

01-12-2020 | Migraine | Research article

Migraine treatment and healthcare costs: retrospective analysis of the China Health Insurance Research Association (CHIRA) database

Authors: Shengyuan Yu, Yanlei Zhang, Yuan Yao, Haijun Cao

Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain | Issue 1/2020

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Abstract

Background

Adult migraine remains underdiagnosed and undertreated, despite significant negative effects on physical and emotional functioning. Information on prescribing patterns and treatment costs of migraine in China is limited.

Methods

This retrospective analysis of the China Health Insurance Research Association (CHIRA) medical insurance claims database in 2016 to 2017 evaluated treatment patterns, direct medical costs, and healthcare resource utilization among adults with migraine in mainland China.

Results

Of 108,375 patients with headache-related outpatient visits, 10,652 were adults with migraine (mean age 51.4 years, 55.4% female). Common comorbidities were major depressive disorder (4.1%), insomnia (3.8%), and anxiety (2.3%). Migraine patients were prescribed acute medication (26.4%), preventive medication (15.0%), and Chinese patent and herbal medicines (24.5% and 11.7%, respectively). Of patients prescribed acute medication, 68.8% received non-aspirin non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), 7.1% received opioids, while only 3.3% received triptans. Mean annual outpatient costs per patient were 46.5 United States dollars (USD), with mean (standard deviation) 1.8 (2.0) outpatient visits per year. Medication costs for traditional Chinese medicine (22.4 USD per patient) were higher than for Western medicine (13.5 USD).

Conclusion

Among migraine patients in China, NSAIDs were commonly prescribed as acute medication, while utilization of migraine-specific triptans and preventive medications was low.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Migraine treatment and healthcare costs: retrospective analysis of the China Health Insurance Research Association (CHIRA) database
Authors
Shengyuan Yu
Yanlei Zhang
Yuan Yao
Haijun Cao
Publication date
01-12-2020
Publisher
Springer Milan
Published in
The Journal of Headache and Pain / Issue 1/2020
Print ISSN: 1129-2369
Electronic ISSN: 1129-2377
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-020-01117-2

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