Risk-benefit and cost-benefit ratio in headache treatment

The cost-benefit and the risk-benefit ratios are two of the most relevant items in ongoing health organisation procedures. The choice of a new or an old therapeutic treatment depends on a number of factors and the evaluation of the cost, in terms of economics, but also in terms of quality of life and type of facilities necessary for one treatment are crucial criteria. Therefore, we have to consider in evaluating treatment strategies not only the activity of a drug in reaching the main end-points, (i.e., pain free or headache relief) but also the safety and perception of safety by patients, and the cost effectiveness, including indirect costs compared with personal and social benefits. Because it is reasonable that a subgroup of migraine patients may have a clinically progressive disorder, studies should be necessary to assess strategies for migraine treatments. © Springer-Verlag Italia 2005.