[Differences between migraine patients referred to a headache unit or a general neurology service].
BACKGROUND
Migraine accounts for 10% of patients first visits due to neurological reasons in Spain and over half the new visits in headache units (HU) and hence the importance of this pathology.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to determine whether there are any differences between migraine patients referred to a general neurology service (GNS) or to a HU.


METHODS
Two groups of patients with migraine were compared: those sent for the first time to a GNS and the others, who were sent directly to a HU.


RESULTS
In a GNS, 10.7% (374 patients) of the overall number of new visits concerned migraines; these were compared with 107 migraines (64%) from the total number of headaches treated for the first time in the HU during the year 2000. The average age and distribution of sexes were similar in both groups. In the group of migraines from the HU there were more requests for CAT/MRI (20%), 77.5% had previous treatment, 71% were given preventive therapy, 51% received triptans and 44.8% needed an examination. In the group of migraines from visits to general service, there were fewer requests for CAT/MRI (14%), only 20% had previous therapy, preventive therapy was started in 45%, 6% received triptans and 25% required an examination.


CONCLUSIONS
The group of patients with migraine who were sent to the HU presented a more serious pathology, required more preventive therapies, more triptans and more monitoring than the group of patients with migraine referred to the GNS.
Gracia-Naya
M
M
Servicio de Neurología, Unidad de Cefaleas, Hospital Migel Servet, Zaragoza, España. gracia.naya@meditex.es
Latorre-Jiménez
A M
AM
D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D005260:Female; D006757:Hospital Units; D006801:Humans; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use
D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists