This is an interesting abstract on how Neurologists in France view Migraine.
I was surprised that the views of neurologists who suffered from migraine were similar to those who di not. The most common rugs used were anti-inflamatories (1) and Triptans (2). The article stated that migraine patients are usually undertreated. What would have been most interesting would be the differences in treatments of neurologists with migraine versus those without. While their attitudes were similar the article did not seperate treatment methods. There may also be a reporting bias by neurologists who do not admit (illegal) self treatments.
Headache. 2010 Apr 16. [Epub ahead of print]
Migraine and Migraines of Specialists: Perceptions and Management.
Donnet A, Becker H, Allaf B, Lantéri-Minet M.
From the Neurology Department, Hôpital la Timone, Marseille, France (A. Donnet); Les Anémones Medical Centre, Cannes, France (H. Becker); Almirall SAS, Paris, France (B. Allaf); INSERM U929, Department of Evaluation and Treatment of Pain, Clinical Neurosciences Pole, Hôpital Pasteur, Nice, France (M. Lantéri-Minet).
Abstract
(Headache 2010;**:**-**) Objectives.- To describe the perception of migraine by neurologists in France, to compare perceptions between neurologists who did and did not suffer from migraines and to describe treatments used for their own migraines. Background.- Patients with migraine are usually undertreated, as treatment guidelines are frequently not followed and, therefore, resulting treatment satisfaction is low. One reason for this may be inappropriate perceptions of physicians concerning the seriousness of the pathology and the need to treat. However, available information on physician perceptions of migraine is limited. Methods.- This was an observational, epidemiological survey conducted both in hospital- and community-based neurologists in France. Participating neurologists completed an anonymous questionnaire which collected data on demographics, migraine status, and perceptions of migraine. Neurologists who considered themselves migraineurs also provided data on migraine impact, treatment and on treatment satisfaction. Distributions of responses to questions on migraine perceptions were compared between migraineur and nonmigraineur neurologists. Results.- The study included 368 neurologists, of whom 179 (48.6%) were migraineurs themselves. Some 92.3% of participants claimed to be very or quite interested in migraine. Migraine was considered a real illness by 96.5% of neurologists and to be very or quite disabling by 96.6%. Around half perceived migraine as a challenging condition to manage with respect to unrealistic patient expectations (46.2%), time-consuming treatment (48.9%), and complications because of anxious or depressive comorbidity (59.9%) or medical nomadism (consulting multiple physicians for the same condition; 47.0%). No significant differences in any perception items were observed between migraineur and nonmigraineur neurologists. In total, 83.1% of neurologists were satisfied with acute headache treatments and 60.4% with prophylactic headache treatments. The most frequently reported treatments for neurologist's own migraines were nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (used by 57.0%) and triptans (50.3%). Conclusions.- French neurologists are interested and concerned about migraine but find it challenging to treat. Migraine perceptions do not differ between neurologists who do and do not suffer from migraines themselves. Neurology training needs to prepare medical students adequately for the challenges of migraine treatment in terms of patient communication and psychiatric issues.
PMID: 20408886 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
