Consulting, diagnosis and treatment patterns in migraine: results from the Migraine in Poland cross-sectional survey.

Abstract

Background: The Migraine in Poland study is a cross-sectional survey that assesses symptomatology, consulting, diagnosis, treatment and impact of migraine in Poland.

Objectives: The purpose of this article is to define patterns of care for migraine in Polish patients.

Methods: The survey was conducted from August 2021 to June 2022. Participants were recruited through various channels, targeting mostly persons suffering from headaches. The web survey included questions allowing for diagnosis according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders. A detailed questionnaire evaluated healthcare system utilization, history of diagnosis, as well as the use of acute or preventive treatment, including non-pharmacological methods.

Results: In total, 3225 individuals aged 13-80 (mean age 38.9) responded to the questionnaire (87.1% were women). Migraine without aura (MwoA) diagnosis was confirmed in 1679 (52.7%) of subjects, and 1571 (93.6%) of them consulted a medical professional for their headaches in the past. Among those who consulted for headache, 91% reported having received a medical diagnosis of migraine. 92.5% of MwoA participants declared the current use of some form of treatment. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and acetaminophen were the most frequently used acute medications (n = 1318, 78.5%) followed by combination analgesics, especially those containing codeine (n = 991, 59%). Triptans/ergots were used by 57.1%. A total of 22.8% of subjects used acute treatment with a frequency indicating medication-overuse. Prophylactic treatment was at some point used by 35.68%, while 11.49% were currently on preventive medications. The most frequently prescribed preventives were iprazochrome (8.99%), followed by flunarizine (8.10%) and topiramate (5.90%). A total of 23.28% subjects used nutraceuticals for migraine prevention (most frequently magnesium).

Conclusion: Despite high consultation and diagnosis rates among Polish patients with migraine, there is a need for improving standards of care, especially in regard to choice of treatment. There is also a need to raise public awareness of the dangers of codeine-based medications (available over-the-counter in Poland).