Erenumab (a CGRP receptor blocker) reduced migraine disability scores by a median of 13 points over three months in a small Dubai-based study, with trends toward improvement across all patient subgroups.
13-point median MIDAS decreaseAfter just three months of erenumab treatment in 26 migraine patients, suggesting clinically meaningful disability reduction
What the researchers found
After three months of erenumab treatment, the 26 migraine patients showed a median decrease of 13 points on the MIDAS disability scale. No statistically significant differences were found between genders or between erenumab dosage groups, but trends toward improvement were observed in all subgroups. The lack of statistical significance is attributed to the small sample size and absence of a control group.
Why it matters
CGRP-targeting drugs like erenumab have transformed migraine treatment, but most evidence comes from Western populations. This study adds real-world data from a Middle Eastern healthcare setting, supporting erenumab's effectiveness in reducing migraine disability across different patient demographics.
How the study worked
Retrospective analysis of 26 patients diagnosed with migraine at Dubai Health facilities. All received erenumab for three months. MIDAS (Migraine Disability Assessment Scale) scores were measured at baseline and after treatment. Non-parametric statistical tests compared outcomes across gender and dosage subgroups.
What this study cannot tell us
Very small sample size (n=26) limits statistical power. No control group, so improvement cannot be definitively attributed to erenumab versus natural fluctuation or placebo effect. Retrospective design introduces potential biases. Three months is a relatively short follow-up period. Published in Cureus, which has a less rigorous peer review process than top-tier journals.
How to read the evidence
This is a small retrospective study without a control group, representing the lowest tier of clinical evidence. While the results are encouraging, they cannot establish causality. Larger controlled trials provide much stronger evidence for erenumab's efficacy.
When this study was published
Published in 2024, this is a recent real-world evidence study that complements the established clinical trial data for erenumab, adding geographic diversity to the evidence base.
The bigger picture
Erenumab was the first CGRP-targeting drug approved for migraine prevention, opening a new class of peptide-based treatments. Real-world studies like this from diverse geographic settings help confirm that the benefits seen in controlled trials translate to everyday clinical practice across different populations.
Questions still open
- Would a larger controlled trial in this population confirm the disability reduction and reveal dose-dependent effects?
- How do long-term outcomes (beyond 3 months) compare in this Middle Eastern patient population?
- Are there specific migraine subtypes in this population that respond better to CGRP blockade?
Common questions
What is erenumab and how does it prevent migraines?
What does a 13-point drop in MIDAS score mean for migraine patients?
Read the original research
Impact of Erenumab on Migraine Disability: A Three-Month MIDAS (Migraine Disability Assessment Scale) Score Analysis at Dubai Health Facilities.
Cureus, 16(8), e67113
Citation
Almarzooqi, Ali; Zidan, Marwan. (2024). Impact of Erenumab on Migraine Disability: A Three-Month MIDAS (Migraine Disability Assessment Scale) Score Analysis at Dubai Health Facilities.. Cureus, 16(8), e67113. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.67113