title: Impact of migraine and tension-type headache on life-style, consulting behaviour, and medication use: a Canadian population survey.
abstract: A large sample of Canadian adults was surveyed by telephone to determine the prevalence and characterization of headache, and the effects of headache on life-style, consulting behaviours and medication use. We reported prevalence and characterization in a previous issue; here, we detail the effects of headaches on sufferers. Sixteen and one-half percent of adult Canadians experience migraine and 29% tension-type headaches. In over 70% of headache sufferers interpersonal relationships are impaired. Regular activities are limited in 78% of migraine attacks and 38% of tension-type headaches. Despite this, only 64% of migraine and 45% of tension-type headache sufferers had ever sought medical attention, and of these only 32% returned for ongoing care. Fourteen percent of migraine and 8% of tension-type headache sufferers had used emergency departments. Most headache sufferers take medication, primarily over-the-counter varieties. Measures to reach the headache population are needed, as are safe effective treatment options that will encourage them to participate in their medical care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Edmeads
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Findlay
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tugwell
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Pryse-Phillips
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Murray
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012919:Social Behavior
chemical_list: D004366:Nonprescription Drugs