A double- blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled clinical trial with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (OPFA ɷ-3) for the prevention of migraine in chronic migraine patients using amitriptyline

• Published in: Nutritional neuroscience Vol. 21; no. 3; pp. 219 - 223
• Main Authors: Soares, Adriana de Almeida, Louçana, Polyanna Mendes Camarço, Nasi, Ema Pereira, Sousa, Kamila Maria de Holanda, Sá, Odara Maria de Sousa, Silva-Néto, Raimundo Pereira
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 16.03.2018
• Subjects: Adult; Amitriptyline - adverse effects; Amitriptyline - therapeutic use; Analgesics, Non-Narcotic - adverse effects; Analgesics, Non-Narcotic - therapeutic use; Brazil; Chi-Square Distribution; Chronic Pain - etiology; Chronic Pain - prevention & control; Combined Modality Therapy; Dietary Supplements - adverse effects; Docosahexaenoic Acids - adverse effects; Docosahexaenoic Acids - therapeutic use; Double-Blind Method; Eicosapentaenoic Acid - adverse effects; Eicosapentaenoic Acid - therapeutic use; Fatty acids; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - adverse effects; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - therapeutic use; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Migraine; Migraine Disorders - diet therapy; Migraine Disorders - drug therapy; Migraine Disorders - physiopathology; Omega 3; Pain Measurement; Patient Dropouts; Prophylaxis; Severity of Illness Index; Omega 3; Fatty acids; Migraine; Prophylaxis
• ISSN: 1028-415X; 1476-8305; 1476-8305
• DOI: 10.1080/1028415X.2016.1266133

Objective: To determine the prophylactic effect of OPFAϖ-3 in migraine. Subjects and methods: This was a prospective, experimental, controlled, double-blind, and with comparison groups study. Sixty patients diagnosed with chronic migraine, according to the criteria of the International Classification of Headache Disorders, Third Edition (beta version) (ICHD-3β), were prophylactically treated with amitriptyline. They were divided into two equal groups: in group 1, prophylaxis was associated with OPFAϖ-3 and in group 2 with placebo. After 60 days, both groups were assessed by a second researcher. Results: Of the 60 patients with chronic migraine, only 51 patients (15 men and 36 women) completed the treatment. The group that received OPFAϖ-3 consisted of 27 (52.9%) patients (six men and 21 women), while the control group was equal to 24 (47.1%) patients (nine men and 15 women). These differences were not significant (χ 2  = 1.428; P = 0.375). In 66.7% (18/27) of the patients who used OPFAϖ-3, there was a reduction of more than 80.0% per month in the number of days of headache, while in the control group, the same improvement occurred in 33.3% (8/24) of patients. This difference was significant (χ 2  = 5.649; P = 0.036). Conclusions: Polyunsaturated omega 3 fatty acids (OPFAϖ-3) are useful for prophylaxis of migraine attacks.