Effectiveness of duloxetine for the treatment of vestibular migraine

Abstract

Background

Migraine is characterized by unilateral head pain with episodic attacks interspersed with symptom-free periods. This recurring and disabling neurovascular condition affects 18% of women and 6% of men, with a global prevalence of 2% for chronic migraine.

Objective

This study aims to estimate the effectiveness of duloxetine in treating vestibular migraine.

Methods

The study included a total of 72 patients who were admitted to the Neurology department between January 2020 and January 2022. Based on the presence or absence of duloxetine in their medical records, the patients were categorized into two groups: a duloxetine group and a control group. Parameters used to assess treatment effects on vestibular symptoms included DHI, VSS, SAS, SRSS, SF-36, and BPI. Follow-up and statistical analysis of all data were performed.

Results

Duloxetine treatment significantly reduced VSS, the DHI total score, and the number of vertiginous episodes in VM patients, while the other medicine treatment also decreased the incidence of vertiginous attacks. However, the reduction in duloxetine group presented a better treatment effect and a lower occurrence of adverse reactions contrasted to the control group.

Conclusions: This study indicates that duloxetine treatment offers significant improvements in comparison to other medicine treatment. These results align with previous research on migraine prevention and contribute to the mounting evidence that supports duloxetine was used to treat vestibular migraine.