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Table 3 Assessment of the clinical effectiveness of treatments

From: Italian guidelines for primary headaches: 2012 revised version

Symptomatic drugs

 +++

The majority (≥60 %) of the patients had partial or total relief of headache. More than 30 % of them were pain free

 ++

Many patients (from ≥40 to <60 %) had partial or total relief of headache, or 20–29 % of the patients were pain free

 +

Some of the patients (from 20 to <40 %) had partial or total relief of headache. Up to 20 % were pain free

 0

Less than 20 % of the treated patients received a clinical benefit

 ?

The members of the Ad Hoc Committee were unable to express any judgement on effectiveness based on their personal clinical impressions

Preventive drugs

 +++

The majority (≥50 %) of the patients experienced a reduction, of at least 50 %, in the frequency (and intensity) of attacks

 ++

Many patients (from ≥30 to <50 %) experienced a reduction, of at least 50 %, in the frequency (and intensity) of attacks

 +

Some of the patients (from ≥20 to <30 %) experienced a reduction, of at least 50 %, in the frequency (and intensity) of attacks

 0

Less than 20 % of the treated patients received a clinical benefit

 ?

The members of the Ad Hoc Committee were unable to express any judgement on effectiveness based on their personal clinical impressions