INTRODUCTION

Topiramate is widely used for migraine prevention but has pleiotropic effects on renal sodium reabsorption and inflammation. Whether these effects could be associated with lower risk of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and cardiovascular outcomes is unknown.

METHODS

Among 1,745,580 patients with a diagnosis of migraine, the risk of ESKD, cardiovascular outcomes, and death was assessed after propensity matching in patients treated with topiramate versus untreated patients.

RESULTS

Overall, 317,936 patients treated with topiramate were properly matched with 317,936 controls by age (43 years old), sex (women: 86%), clinical and biological parameters, comorbid conditions, and baseline medications. After a median follow-up of 3.5 years, patients receiving topiramate had a significant lower risk of ESKD (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.850; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.776-0.930; < 0.0001). Among the subgroup of patients with available data, patients treated with topiramate had a smaller estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline over time than the other patients. Albuminuria remained stable during follow-up in the topiramate group but increased in the other patients. They also had a lower risk of death (HR: 0.827 [0.799-0.856]), cardiac arrest or ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (HR: 0.944 [0.898-0.992]), but a higher risk of ischemic stroke or thromboembolism (HR: 1.366 [1.318-1.416]) than other patients. Similar results were observed when men and women were analyzed separately. No association was found between topiramate use and risks of myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, or heart failure.

CONCLUSION

In men and women with migraine, topiramate was significantly associated with lower risks of ESKD and death, but higher risks of ischemic stroke or thromboembolism.