Double-blind controlled study of using oral mesylate dihydroergotamine tablets in headache sufferers with stroke-related risk factors

Abstract:

Objective：To discuss whether dihydroergotamine can improve the condition of headache sufferers with stroke-related risk factors and to observe changes of health-related quality of life（HRQoL） in patients. Methods：The patients with headache were ran－domly divided into two groups. Experimental group received oral dihydroergotamine tablets while the control group received oral pla-cebo. The brief diary was used to record patient’s condition of headache（including headache frequency，headache duration and degree of pain and the use of acute pain medication）. Results：A total of 77 patients completed the study，53 patients in experimental group and 24 patients in control group. HRQoL and headache condition were improved to varying degrees among patients in both exper－imental group and control group，and the effect was much better in experiment group than in control group. The comprehensive mental score and the comprehensive emotional and physical score were quite different between two groups（effective size：0.76 vs. 0.56，0.56 vs. 0.40，0.68 vs. 0.57）. The dosage of analgesic was different between two groups（effective size：0.65 vs. 0.43）. Conclusion：Dihydroergotamine can improve the patient’s condition and HRQoL score of headache sufferers with stroke-related risk factors，using less acute analgesic.