The impact of migraine on psychological well-being of young women and their communication with physicians about migraine: a multinational study.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the impact of migraine on psychological well-being of young women and to evaluate their communication with physicians about migraine.


METHODS
This cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted in Israel and eight European countries (Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and The Netherlands). Random-digit dialing was used to identify eligible study participants: women 18-35 years of age with migraine, who used medication to treat their migraine, and who were employed or full-time students.


RESULTS
Of 1810 participants, 42% self-reported having a physician diagnosis of migraine. Eighty-six per cent believed that their life would be better if they did not suffer from migraines; and 58% of participants felt frustrated, 46% felt angry, and 44% felt depressed because of their migraines. Negative feelings related to migraine varied substantially from country to country. For example, feelings of frustration caused by migraine ranged from 32% in Italy to 84% in Finland; feelings of anxiety ranged from 21% in Norway to 57% in Italy; and feelings of confusion ranged from 13% in Greece to 61% in Italy. Overall, 81% of participants had visited a physician in the past year but only 50% of them had discussed their severe headaches or migraines with their physician within the year. While 68% of those who had visited a physician stated that they were comfortable speaking with their physician about migraine, 71% reported being the one who initiated the conversation about severe headaches or migraines. Of all participants, 39% did not feel that their physician understood how much severe headaches or migraines interfered with their life.


CONCLUSIONS
Migraines and severe headaches impose a substantial burden on the psychological well-being of young women with migraine in Europe and Israel. In general, communication between these women and their physicians about migraine is incomplete.
Dueland
Aud Nome
AN
Sandvika Neurologic Service, Sandvika, Norway.
Leira
Rogelio
R
Cabelli
Sara T
ST
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003142:Communication; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*