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. 2008 Nov 14;10(1):35–43. doi: 10.1007/s10194-008-0083-1

GERD prevalence in migraine patients and the implication for acute migraine treatment

Božena J Katić 1,4,✉, Wendy Golden 2, Roger K Cady 3, X Henry Hu 2
PMCID: PMC3451764  PMID: 19009231

Abstract

The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and heartburn in migraine patients and examine their use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or aspirin-containing medications when treating acute migraine attacks. Responses from a web-based survey of migraine patients were matched to the same patient’s responses on a general health survey. A total of 1,832 migraineurs (92.0%) were successfully matched. A total of 403 migraineurs (22.0%) reported having diagnosed GERD, 212 (11.6%) reported diagnosed heartburn, and 290 (15.8%) reported reflux symptoms but were undiagnosed. The most common prescription drugs used to treat migraines were triptans. First-line NSAID/aspirin medication use was 10.0% among diagnosed GERD and heartburn patients, 17.8% among undiagnosed patients, and 11.8% among GERD/heartburn-free migraineurs. In conclusion, almost half of migraineurs reported physician-diagnosed GERD and heartburn or symptoms of these conditions. Use of NSAID medications for migraine is fairly common among diagnosed GERD patients and more so for those with undiagnosed GERD symptoms. Physicians should minimize prescribing NSAIDs or NSAID-containing acute migraine medications in this population.

Keywords: Comorbidity, GERD, Migraine treatment, NSAID, Heartburn, Coprevalence

Full Text

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Acknowledgments

This research study was funded by Merck & Co., Inc.

Conflict of interest

B. J. Katić is a Temple University research fellow sponsored by Merck. W. Golden and X. Henry Hu are both employed by Merck & Co., Inc. Roger K. Cady is a consultant/advisor for Merck and is involved in research studies for which his academic institution has received research grants. He has no stock or equity in any pharmaceutical company.

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