Clinical predictors of propranolol responsiveness in pediatric migraine: a prospective observational study


Baykan M., Taşkırdı E. D., Çopuroğlu Ö. B., Gençpınar P., Dündar N. O.

Journal of Oral and Facial Pain and Headache, cilt.40, sa.2, ss.112-119, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 40 Sayı: 2
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.22514/jofph.2026.026
  • Dergi Adı: Journal of Oral and Facial Pain and Headache
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, CINAHL, MEDLINE, DIALNET
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.112-119
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Behavioral therapy, Pediatric migraine, PedMIDAS, Personalized treatment, Propranolol
  • Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of propranolol therapy and structured behavioral interventions in reducing headache severity in pediatric patients and to identify predictors of treatment response. Methods: In this prospective, single-center study, 178 pediatric patients diagnosed with migraine based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (ICHD3) criteria were enrolled. Participants were allocated into two groups according to baseline Pediatric Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (PedMIDAS) scores: Group 1 (PedMIDAS <15, n = 88) received standardized behavioral therapy, while Group 2 (PedMIDAS ≥15, n = 90) received propranolol (1–3 mg/kg/day) for 12 weeks. Primary outcomes were predefined as changes in monthly migraine attack frequency, PedMIDAS scores, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS)-measured headache intensity. Vitamin D deficiency and vitamin B12 deficiency were evaluated as biochemical predictors, and adherence was monitored bi-weekly. Results: Both groups showed significant improvement at week 12. Monthly migraine attacks declined from 3.5 ± 1.6 to 2.1 ± 1.2 in Group 1 and from 6.4 ± 2.1 to 3.1 ± 1.7 in Group 2. PedMIDAS scores decreased from 8.60 ± 3.25 to 5.75 ± 2.52 and 24.40 ± 9.65 to 16.11 ± 7.72, respectively (p < 0.001 both). VAS scores also improved in both groups with no significant between-group difference in percentage reduction. A ≥50% reduction in attack frequency plus ≥1-grade PedMIDAS improvement defined treatment response. In the propranolol group, response was independently associated with benign paroxysmal vertigo and essential tremor, while vitamin D and vitamin B12 deficiency predicted poorer outcomes. Conclusions: Both propranolol and structured behavioral therapy effectively reduce migraine-related disability and pain in pediatric patients, yielding comparable proportional improvements. The identification of key clinical and biochemical predictors supports a personalized treatment approach, integrating comorbidity screening and nutritional assessment to optimize outcomes. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT07180043, retrospectively registered.