The effect of blood pressure lowering medications on the prevention of episodic migraine : a systematic review and meta-analysis

C. Carcel, F. Haghdoost, J. Shen, P. Nanda, Y. Bai, E. Atkins, T. Torii-Yoshimura, A.J. Clough, L. Davies, Dennis Cordato, L.R. Griffiths, G. Balicki, X. Wang, K. Vidyasagar, A. Malavera, C.S. Anderson, A.S. Zagami, C. Delcourt, A. Rodgers

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Abstract

Background: Currently, only a few specific blood pressure-lowering medications are recommended for migraine prevention. Whether benefits extend to other classes or drugs is uncertain. Methods: Embase, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials were searched for randomized control trials on the effect of blood pressure-lowering medications compared with placebo in participants with episodic migraine. Data were collected on four outcomes – monthly headache or migraine days, and monthly headache or migraine attacks, with a standardised mean difference calculated for overall. Random effect meta-analysis was performed. Results: In total, 50 trials (70% of which were crossover) were included, comprising 60 comparisons. Overall mean age was 39 years, and 79% were female. Monthly headache days were fewer in all classes compared to placebo, and this was statistically significant for all but one class: alpha-blockers −0.7 (95% CI: −1.2, −0.1), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors −1.3 (95% CI: −2.9, 0.2), angiotensin II receptor blockers −0.9 (−1.6, −0.1), beta-blocker −0.4 (−0.8, −0.0) and calcium channel blockers −1.8 (−3.4, −0.2). Standardised mean difference was significantly reduced for all drug classes and was separately significant for numerous specific drugs: clonidine, candesartan, atenolol, bisoprolol, metoprolol, propranolol, timolol, nicardipine and verapamil. Conclusion: Among people with episodic migraine, a broader number of blood pressure-lowering medication classes and drugs reduce headache frequency than those currently included in treatment guidelines. Trial Registration: The study was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42017079176).
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages9
JournalCephalalgia
Volume43
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2023

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This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution- NonCommercial 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits non-commercial use, reproduction and dis- tribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access pages (https://us. sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).

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