Abstract
Background: Migraine poses recognizable burden on the individuals suffering from this disorder in terms of impaired quality of life and financial costs. It was found that adequate education helps the patient to understand the importance of medication adherence to achieve the desired therapeutic goals. Aim: The main aim of the study was to improve the overall quality of life of migraine patients by providing proper education regarding medication adherence. Objective: The main objective of the study was to assess the effect of patient education on improving medication adherence behavior in migraine patients. Method: This study was a prospective randomized study conducted over a period of 9 months at the outpatient department of Neurology, JSS Medical College Hospital, Mysore which is a multispecialty tertiary care teaching hospital. Education regarding disease, medication, diet, and lifestyle modification was provided at baseline visit and at each follow‐up visit to the test group patients. The control group patients received detailed education only at the final follow‐up visit. Patient’s medication adherence was assessed in each follow up visits with the help of Morisky’s Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS). Difference in the scoring at the time of first, second and third follow up visits was compared and the difference in percentage was calculated. Results: A total of 190 patients were enrolled in the study. Out of which 168 completed all the study follow ups. The main outcome of our study was a significant increase in the MMAS score of the test patients (educated patients) from follow up 1 to follow up 3. The mean scores of the medication adherence in the control patients were not consistent in the follow ups. Conclusion: This study concluded that patient education has a significant role in improving medication adherence in patients with migraine. This study provides an overview of adherence behavior in migraine patients and the significance of educating patients for improving medication adherence behavior and thereby improving the overall quality of life in migraine patients.
