Effects of topiramate on inflammatory parameters in migraine prophylaxis

Aim: Many medical agents are used in migraine prophylaxis. Topiramate is used as a first-line treatment option for migraine prophylaxis. It has different side effects, but its effects on inflammatory markers are unknown. In this study, we investigate the effects of topiramate in neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) with migraine patients without aura. Method: In this retrospective study, 60 healthy controls and 78 patients who were followed up and had a diagnosis of migraine and took a topiramate therapy were evaluated pretreatment, 3rd, and 6th months after treatment. The number of days with pain, duration of pain, Migraine Disability Assessment Test (MIDAS), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores of the patients were evaluated before treatment and during the controls. Results and Conclusions: A significant decrease was observed in the painful days, duration of pain, MIDAS, and VAS scores in the evaluations in the 3rd and 6th month periods after the initiation of topiramate. Thrombocytopenia developed in one patient, generalized paresthesia in two patients, and treatment was discontinued for these patients. NLR, PLR, and CRP values before the topiramate treatment were statistically higher than the values at 3rd and 6th months of treatment. Neutrophil, platelet, and lymphocyte counts also decreased during treatment. There was no statistically significant difference between inflammatory parameters and number of days with pain, duration of pain, MIDAS, and VAS scores. NLR, PLR, and CRP values decreased topiramate therapy. Studies are needed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effectiveness of topiramate in the treatment of migraine.