Top

Published in:

01-05-2009 | Oral Communication

Underdiagnosis of primary headaches: results of a survey on patients attending headache centres

Authors: N. Massetto, C. Gambini, P. Bernardoni, E. Ferrante, C. Lovati, F. Moschiano, M. C. Tonini, G. Bussone, Domenico D’Amico

Published in: Neurological Sciences | Special Issue 1/2009

Abstract

Underdiagnosis of primary headaches was evaluated in 504 patients attending six Headache Centres in Lombardy. We found high figures of missed diagnoses (no diagnosis of a specific headache form), and of misdiagnosis (non-concordance between previous diagnoses made by the GP and the final diagnoses given by the headache specialist). We note that underdiagnosis in headache patients may have negative consequences, enhancing the risk of progressive worsening of primary headache syndromes, increasing their impact on individuals and on society, and favouring medication overuse.

Lj Stovner, Hagen K, Jensen R et al (2007) The global burden of headache: a documentation of headache prevalence and disability worldwide. Cephalalgia 27(3):193–210CrossRef

Edmeads J, Findlay H, Tugwell P et al (1993) Impact of migraine and tension-type headache on life-style, consulting behaviour, and medication use: a Canadian population survey. Can J Neurol Sci 20(2):131–137PubMed

Lipton RB, Bigal ME, Kolodner K et al (2003) The family impact of migraine: population-based studies in the USA and UK. Cephalalgia 23(6):429–440PubMedCrossRef

Bussone G, Usai S, Grazzi L et al (2004) Disability and quality of life in different primary headaches: results from Italian studies. Neurol Sci 25(3):S105–S107PubMedCrossRef

Terwindt GM, Ferrari MD, Tijhuis M et al (2000) The impact of migraine on quality of life in the general population. Neurology 55:624–629PubMed

D’Amico D, Rigamonti A, Solari A et al (2002) Health-related quality of life in patients with cluster headache during active periods. Cephalalgia 22(10):818–821PubMedCrossRef

Meletiche DM, Lofland JH, Young WB (2001) Quality-of-life differences between patients with episodic and transformed migraine. Headache 41:573–578PubMedCrossRef

D’Amico D, Grazzi L, Usai S et al (2005) Disability pattern in chronic migraine with medication overuse: a comparison with migraine without aura. Headache 45(5):553–560PubMedCrossRef

Headache Classification Subcommittee of the International Headache Society (2004) The international classification of headache disorders: second edition. Cephalalgia 24(1):1–160CrossRef

10.

Lucas C, Géraud G, Valade D et al (2006) Recognition and therapeutic management of migraine in 2004, in France: results of FRAMIG 3, a French nationwide population-based survey. Headache 46:715–725PubMedCrossRef

11.

Tepper SJ, Dahlöf CG, Dowson A et al (2004) Prevalence and diagnosis of migraine in patients consulting their physician with a complaint of headache: data from the Landmark Study. Headache 44(9):856–864PubMedCrossRef

12.

Devine JW, Farley JF, Hadsall RS (2005) Patterns and predictors of prescription medication use in the management of headache: findings from the 2000 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Headache 45(9):1171–1180PubMedCrossRef

13.

Diamond S, Bigal ME, Silberstein S et al (2007) Patterns of diagnosis and acute and preventive treatment for migraine in the United States: results from the American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention Study. Headache 47:355–363PubMed

14.

Cevoli S, D’Amico D, Martelletti P et al (2009) Under diagnosis and undertreatment of migraine in Italy: a survey on patients attending for the first time ten Headache Centres. Cephalalgia (in press)

15.

Silberstein SD, Lipton RB, Sliwinski M (1996) Classification of daily and near-daily headaches: field trial of revised IHS criteria. Neurology 47(4):871–875PubMed

16.

Scher AI, Stewart WF, Ricci JA et al (2003) Factors associated with the onset remission of chronic daily headache in a population-based study. Pain 106:81–89PubMedCrossRef

17.

Katsarava Z, Schneeweiss S, Kurth T et al (2004) Incidence and predictors for chronicity of headache in patients with episodic migraine. Neurology 62:788–790PubMed

Title: Underdiagnosis of primary headaches: results of a survey on patients attending headache centres
Authors: N. Massetto
C. Gambini
P. Bernardoni
E. Ferrante
C. Lovati
F. Moschiano
M. C. Tonini
G. Bussone
Domenico D’Amico
Publication date: 01-05-2009
Publisher: Springer Milan
Published in: Neurological Sciences / Issue Special Issue 1/2009
Print ISSN: 1590-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1590-3478
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-009-0068-0

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Underdiagnosis of primary headaches: results of a survey on patients attending headache centres

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Special Issue 1/2009

Neural substrate of depression during migraine

Spectral changes of near-infrared spectroscopy signals in migraineurs with aura reveal an impaired carbon dioxide-regulatory mechanism

Alterations in the cerebral venous circulation as a cause of headache

Redefining primary headaches

Practical strategies for treating chronic migraine with medication overuse: case examples and role play demonstrations

Antimigraine drugs: new frontiers