The migraine postdrome: Clinical characterization, influence of abortive treatment and impact in the quality of life

To determine the postdrome’s prevalence and characterize its clinical manifestations, to assess the impact of these symptoms on the patients' activities of daily living, work activity and quality of life and to assess the factors that influence the postdrome’s frequency and duration. One hundred patients with migraine were screened about the occurrence of postdrome and its characteristics using a self-fulfilled questionnaire. Ninety-four patients reported between 1 and 23 postdrome symptoms (mean 8.0 ± 4.3 symptoms). The most reported symptoms were fatigue, difficulty with concentration and head discomfort. The frequency of the headache did not influence the frequency of the postdrome but correlated with the number of postdrome symptoms and the postdrome’s duration. 82.8 % of patients reported an impact in quality of life. Most of the patients (77.4 %) did not report a difference in the duration of the postdrome when taking medication to relieve the migraine headache. Discomfort felt did not differ between patients prescribed with different abortive medication. Patients prescribed with NSAID reported more postdrome symptoms while patients prescribed with triptans identified a bigger impact in quality of life. Postdrome symptoms are frequent, diverse and cause significant disability. Abortive treatment directed to pain control is not efficient in postdrome symptoms. Understanding this phase may enhance our understanding of migraine and lead to better therapeutic approaches. •Postdrome symptoms are frequent, diverse and cause significant impact on daily activities, work activity and quality of life.•The frequency of the headache may influence some aspects of the postdrome.•Abortive treatment is not efficient in the prevention of the postdrome phase or of any of the individual symptoms. New or different drugs targeting postdrome symptoms are needed.