Migraine: barriers for care.
Migraine headaches affect 12% of the adult population in occidental countries and cause a significant economic loss due to decreased workplace productivity. However only a minority of migraine sufferers worldwide ever receive a correct diagnosis or appropriate treatment. Several barriers for adequate care contribute to this situation. In this article we discuss some strategies to bypass these barriers, summarised herein as: (1) identifying migraine sufferers in need of care; (2) improving medical recognition; (3) supporting the differential diagnosis; (4) improving medical confidence; (5) improving medical treatment; and (6) assessing treatment outcomes.
Sheftell
F D
FD
The New England Center for Headache, 778 Long Ridge Road, Stamford, CT, USA. ninotores1@aol.com
Tepper
S J
SJ
Bigal
M E
ME
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D021641:Recognition, Psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome