Burden of migraine and unmet needs from the patients’ perspective: a survey across 11 specialized headache clinics in Korea

Abstract

Background Migraine is a neurological, primary headache disorder affecting more than 1 billion people worldwide, with a multi-faceted burden that can significantly impact the everyday life of a patient, both during and between attacks. However, studies on patient awareness, burden, and clinical management of migraine in Korea are limited and outdated. The aim of this study was to comprehensively investigate the current difficulties and unmet needs that Korean patients with migraine encounter from their perspective. Methods A total of 207 patients with episodic or chronic migraine aged between 15 and 76 years, completed a survey designed to cover the following topics: diagnosis, understanding of the disease, treatment experience, disability, and quality of life. Patients were recruited by their neurologists from 11 specialized headache clinics in Korea and completed the survey between 22 July and 19 August 2019. Validated scales such as the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire and Migraine-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire version 2.1 (MSQv2.1) were used to assess levels of disability and quality of life, respectively, in patients. Results On average, it took 10.1 years from onset of symptoms to diagnosis and a mean of 3.9 hospitals were visited for treatment prior to the patient’s current hospital. There was a lack of understanding among respondents about migraine, with 55.6% believing that unilateral headache is a unique feature of migraine compared with other headache disorders. On average, high levels of disability and poor quality of life were reported by patients, as assessed by MIDAS and MSQv2.1, respectively, but only 23.7% had regularly taken preventive medication in the past. Overall satisfaction with previous doctor-patient relationships was reported by 29.5% of respondents, and satisfaction with preventive and acute medications by only 40.8% and 27.1% of the respondents, respectively. Conclusion Korean patients with migraine experience significant disability and reduced quality of life as a result of the disease and have clear unmet needs in terms of diagnosis, understanding of the disease, and disease management including treatment.

The disease burden of migraine patients receiving prophylactic treatments in Korea: a population-based claims database analysis

“…Fourth, since many migraine patients in Korea are underdiagnosed and undertreated, a significant proportion of migraine patients in Korea might not be included in current study. Korean migraine patients have unmet needs in terms of diagnosis [ 6 ]. Kim et al reported that because the diversity of migraine symptoms makes some physicians feel unsure of the diagnosis of migraine and many patients also take painkillers during the early phase of migraine attacks so that their headaches frequently do not fit the diagnostic criteria of migraine [ 6 ].…”

“…Since migraine headache and their accompanying symptoms can place a significant burden on the patients and affect daily functioning and quality of life during and between migraine attacks, appropriate treatment should be necessary. The treatment of migraine includes acute and prophylaxis treatment, especially in patients with frequent severe headaches, both treatments are required [ 6 , 7 ]. The aim of the acute treatment is to reduce the pain, accompanying symptoms, and disorders associated with migraine attacks.…”

Association between patent foramen ovale and migraine without aura: a community-based cross-sectional study in China

“…Pharmacological treatment remains the first choice for patients with migraine. However, long-term pharmacological treatments may have low compliance rates, low effectiveness or undesirable side effects, and new drugs such as calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibodies are too expensive 6 7. Although numerous drugs have been available, few patients are able to insist on receiving a standardised preventive treatment protocol 8.…”

“…However, long-term pharmacological treatments may have low compliance rates, low effectiveness or undesirable side effects, and new drugs such as calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibodies are too expensive. 6 7 Although numerous drugs have been available, few patients are able to insist on receiving a standardised preventive treatment protocol. 8 Opioids are still abused among individuals with migraines across all ages and clinical settings, especially in underdeveloped regions, 9 10 resulting in a high risk of medication overuse headache, 11 disease chronification, 12 13 addiction and drug abuse.…”

Correction to: Burden of migraine and unmet needs from the patients’ perspective: a survey across 11 specialized headache clinics in Korea

“…Following the publication of the original article [ 1 ], we were notified of two errors, in the legend for Fig. 3 and in the author details.…”