As it has become more widely understood that Migraine is a chronic neurological disease with no cure yet discovered, it's appropriate that more attention be paid to Migraine prevention. Data suggests that based on Migraine frequency and Migraine-related disability, approximately 50% of Migraineurs could benefit significantly from preventive measures. Unfortunately, data also suggests that only about 10% of that 50% is actually receiving preventive treatment. Some patients may not be receiving preventive treatment because their doctors don't recognize the need, but doctors feel that there's a problem on the part of their Migraineur patients.
Efforts are underway to provide doctors with more and better information about Migraine treatment. In order to address any problems on the patient's side of this situation, it's necessary to identify the problem. To that end, Dr. Todd Rozen at the Michigan Head Pain and Neurological Institute undertook at study determine just what Migraineurs want from their preventive medications and doctors.
Study objective
"To document the results of a Migraine patients survey, from a headache specialty clinic, in which patients were asked to rank, in order of importance, certain characteristics of Migraine preventive treatment."
Study methods
- 150 patients (114 female, 36 male) with a history of Migraine who presented to the Michigan Head Pain and Neurological Institute completed 10-question survey. Survey participants included episodic Migraine suffers and those with chronic daily Migraines.
- The ages of the participants ranged from 13 to 71 years. Mean age was 39 years.
- The patients were asked to rank characteristics of Migraine preventive treatment 150 patients (114 females and 36 males) with a history of Migraine who presented to the Michigan Head Pain & Neurological Institute.
- Survey questions addressed preventive medication issues:
- dosing
- potential side effects
- prescription medications vs. natural therapy
- efficacy rates
- The survey also looked at interaction between patient and doctor
- Each individual characteristic was rated on a 1 to 10 scale (1 - little importance; 10 - extremely important).
- The mean rating was calculated foreach characteristic.
- The results were analyzed.
Study results
Ranking of characteristics:
- Migraineurs ranked their doctors involving them in the process of choosing a preventive medication as the most important characteristic.
- The second most important characteristic was the doctor taking time to explain potential side effects of medications.
- Preventive medications with published studies showing their effectiveness also ranked high.
- "Natural" therapies and once-a-day dosing were important, but ranked lower overall.
Other findings:
- Migraineurs don't mind taking more than one preventive medication if it means greater effectiveness.
- Concern over effects on weight and medications causing sedation were may be important reasons patients don't want to use preventive medications. This was especially prevalent in women.
Summary
In analyzing the results of the survey, Dr. Rozen commented,
"At present many Migraineurs who need preventive medication are not receiving it. The complete reason for this is unknown but in large part may relate to a poor understanding by physicians of what Migraineurs want from their preventive medication and from their doctors."
It's gratifying and encouraging to see research into what patients want. A good relationship between doctor and patient results in better compliance with treatment and a better outcome. This results in a better quality of life for patients.
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Resources:
- Rozen, Todd D. (2006)Migraine Prevention: What Patients Want From Medication and Their Physicians (A Headache Specialty Clinic Perspective). Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain 46 (5), 750-753. doi: 10.1111/ j.1526-4610.2006.00429.x
- Lipton, Richard B., Stewart, Walter F., Diamond, Seymour, Diamond, Merle L. & Reed, Michael (2001) Prevalence and Burden of Migraine in the United States: Data From the American Migraine Study II. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain 41 (7), 646-657. doi: 10.1046/j.1526-4610.2001.041007646.x
