To Örebro University

Background: Higher socioeconomic status (SES) among people with migraine has been associated with an increased use of triptans, but it is undetermined whether high SES is also associated with dispensation of monoclonal antibodies against calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRPi), a prophylactic treatment against migraine episodes. Our hypothesis was that higher SES is associated with CGRPi dispensation, although the association is expected to be attenuated in a country that generally allows for reimbursement of CGRPi costs.

Methods: In this register-based nested case-control study, the association between SES, categorized into three levels (low, middle and high) and the outcome of a first dispensation of a CGRPi was assessed among people with a migraine diagnosis in Region Stockholm, using univariable and multivariable logistic regression models.

Results: Of 52,996 individuals in the study population, 3.2% (n = 1674) were dispensed CGRPi. Individuals with high or middle SES had an increased probability of being dispensed CGRPi, compared to individuals with low SES (adjusted odds ratio = 1.68; 95% confidence interval = 1.46-1.92 and adjusted odds ratio = 1.41; 95% confidence interval = 1.24-1.61, respectively).

Conclusions: Higher SES was associated with dispensation of CGRPi, which suggests unequal access to CGRPi.