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Demographics and Clinical Features of Patients Referred to Headache Specialists

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2014

Susan E. Jelinski ,
Werner J. Becker ,
Suzanne N. Christie ,
Rose Giammarco ,
Gordon F. Mackie ,
Marek J. Gawel ,
Arnolda G. Eloff  and
Jane E. Magnusson
Susan E. Jelinski
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
Werner J. Becker*
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
Suzanne N. Christie
Affiliation:
Ottawa General Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Rose Giammarco
Affiliation:
McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
Gordon F. Mackie
Affiliation:
Richmond Hospital, Richmond, BC, Canada
Marek J. Gawel
Affiliation:
Sunnybrook and Women's College, Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
Arnolda G. Eloff
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
Jane E. Magnusson
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
*
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Division of Neurology, Foothills Medical Centre, 12th Floor, Neurology, 1403 29th Street NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 2T9, Canada
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Abstract:

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Objective:

To examine demographic characteristics and clinical features of headache patients referred to neurologists specializing in headache in Canada.

Methods:

Demographic and clinical data were collected at the time of consultation for 865 new headache patients referred to five headache-specialty clinics in Canada. The Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) and Migraine Disability Questionnaire (MIDAS) were used to measure headache impact and disability. Data were analyzed as part of the Canadian Headache Outpatient Registry and Database (CHORD) Project.

Results:

The average age of the patients was 40 years and the majority were female (78%). Most were employed either full time (49%) or part time (13%). The majority of patients were diagnosed with either migraine or tension-type headache (78%). Over a third of patients experienced headache every day, and half had experienced a headache in the previous month which was of severe intensity. Most (80%) scored in the “very severe” category of the HIT-6 and over half (55%) were severely disabled as measured by the MIDAS.

Conclusion:

Patients referred to headache specialists in Canada are severely disabled by their headache disorders. These patients are in the most productive phase of their lives in terms of age and employment. It is important to provide the best available treatment to headache patients in order to minimize the disability and impact of their headache disorders.

Résumé:

RÉSUMÉ: Objectif:

Examiner les caractéristiques démographiques et les manifestations cliniques de patients souffrant de céphalée qui sont dirigés à un neurologue spécialiste de la céphalée au Canada.

Méthodes:

Les données démographiques et cliniques ont été recueillies au moment de la consultation chez 865 nouveaux patients dirigés à cinq cliniques spécialisées en céphalée au Canada. Le HIT-6 et le MIDAS ont été utilisés pour mesurer l’impact de la céphalée et de l’invalidité. L’analyse des données a été faite dans le cadre du Canadian Headache Outpatient Registry and Database Project.

Résultats:

L’âge moyen des patients était de 40 ans et la majorité était des femmes (78%). La plupart avaient un emploi à temps complet (49%) ou à temps partiel (13%). La migraine ou la céphalée de tension était le diagnostic posé chez la majorité des patients (78%). Plus du tiers des patients souffraient de céphalée quotidienne et la moitié avaient eu un épisode de céphalée sévère dans le mois précédent. La plupart des patients avaient un score les plaçant dans la catégorie « très sévère » au HIT-6 et plus de la moitié (55%) étaient sévèrement invalidés selon le MIDAS.

Conclusion:

Les patients qui sont référés à des spécialistes de la céphalée au Canada ont une invalidité importante due à leur maladie. Ils sont dans la période la plus productive de leur vie de par leur âge et leur situation d’emploi. Il est important de fournir aux patients qui souffrent de céphalée le meilleur traitement possible pour minimiser l’invalidité et l’impact de leur céphalée.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 33 , Issue 2 , May 2006 , pp. 228 - 234
Copyright
Copyright © The Canadian Journal of Neurological 2006

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