Table 4 Summarized data for five classes of standard prophylactic medications (betablocker, flunarizine, valproate, topiramate, amitriptyline) in patients with EH and CH with and without depression and/or anxiety, differentiating “none” or “one and more prophylactics”. HADS scores ≥8 indicate presence of depression and/or anxiety, HADS scores <8 indicate absence of depression and/or anxiety

Ever-before use

 Missing data: 27

 None

59

45.7

40

44.9

27

50

39

41.9

 One ore more prophylactics

70

54.3

49

55.1

27

50

54

58.1

Contraindications

 Missing data: 43

4.4

0.037

ns

 None

96

76.8

54

63.5

41

77.4

68

79.1

 One or more

29

23.2

31

36.5

12

22.6

18

20.9

Adverse effects

 Missing data: 25

ns

ns

 None

43

68.3

30

69.8

21

87.5

34

66.7

 Caused by one or more prophylactics

20

31.7

13

30.2

3

12.5

17

33.3

Use for ≥ 3 months

 Missing data: 19

ns

ns

 None

17

26.6

7

14.9

5

19.2

9

18

 One or more prophylactics

47

73.4

40

85.1

21

80.8

41

82

Intake of an adequate dose

 Missing data: 23

ns

ns

 None

5

7.9

6

13.6

4

15.4

9

18

 One or more prophylactics

58

92.1

38

86.4

22

84.6

41

82

Decrease in HA frequency by ≥ 50 %

 Missing data: 33

ns

ns

 None

28

50.9

25

58.1

13

52

35

70

 Caused by one or more prophylactics

27

49.1

18

41.9

12

48

15

30