Help for Migraine Sufferers
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- New research shows people with migraine headaches may not be receiving the most effective treatments. The problem, say researchers, is that most do not see a specialist.
Migraine headaches affect an estimated 30 million people in the United States. Most migraine sufferers are between 30 and 59 years old.
Cormac O'Donovan, M.D., and colleagues from Wake Forest University School of Medicine, reviewed data from 1990 to 1998 to assess the demographics of patients seen with migraines, the types of physicians they saw, and the medications they used to treat their migraines.
The researchers determined that while more patients are seeing physicians for migraines, more than 60 percent of the patients are seen by a primary care physician. A neurologist sees less than 20 percent. Dr. O'Donovan says studies have shown that patients who see a neurologist report more satisfaction and better treatment outcomes than those who saw a primary care physician. In addition, in the primary care setting, migraines are often treated with analgesics and medications that may be habit forming.
"Education of both physicians and the public about new and effective treatments will increase the numbers of those finding relief of their migraines and decrease the number of those using potentially habit-forming medications," said Dr. O'Donovan.
"While the majority of patients with migraines are still being seen by primary care physicians, these patients may benefit from referral to a specialist, or by programs aimed at educating primary care providers in the use of new treatment options," says Dr. O'Donovan.
SOURCE: Headache, 2003;43:330-335
This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.