Work and productivity loss in the rizatriptan multiple attack study

The objective of this study was to measure the self-reported effect of acut e migraine and its treatment on paid work and productivity loss. Patients s elf-administered a questionnaire in which the impact of a recent migraine o n paid work and productivity activities was assessed. We included the quest ionnaire in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover, out- patient study designed to examine the safety and efficacy of rizatriptan (5 -HT1B/1D receptor agonist) 10 mg p.o. in patients treating four separate mi graine attacks. A total of 407 patients, aged 18-65 years, suffering from m oderate to severe migrainous headaches was studied. Patients receiving riza triptan compared with placebo reported 0.7 fewer hours (P < 0.01) of paid w orked missed due to absenteeism, 0.4 fewer hours (P < 0.05) of productive t ime lost on the job, and 1.1 fewer total hours (P < 0.01) of work loss per migraine attack. Rizatriptan compared with placebo significantly reduced mi graine-related work loss associated with absenteeism and decreased effectiv eness on the job.