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Impact of Migraine and Tension-Type Headache on Life-Style, Consulting Behaviour, and Medication Use: A Canadian Population Survey

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

John Edmeads ,
Helen Findlay ,
Peter Tugwell ,
William Pryse-Phillips ,
R.F. Nelson  and
T.J. Murray
John Edmeads*
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, (J.E.); Glaxo Canada Inc., Toronto, (H.F.); Department of Medicine, Ottawa General Hospital, Ottawa, (P.T.); Division of Neurology, Health Sciences Centre, St. John’s, (W.P-P.); Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, (R.F.N.); and the Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, (T.J.M.)
Helen Findlay
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, (J.E.); Glaxo Canada Inc., Toronto, (H.F.); Department of Medicine, Ottawa General Hospital, Ottawa, (P.T.); Division of Neurology, Health Sciences Centre, St. John’s, (W.P-P.); Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, (R.F.N.); and the Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, (T.J.M.)
Peter Tugwell
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, (J.E.); Glaxo Canada Inc., Toronto, (H.F.); Department of Medicine, Ottawa General Hospital, Ottawa, (P.T.); Division of Neurology, Health Sciences Centre, St. John’s, (W.P-P.); Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, (R.F.N.); and the Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, (T.J.M.)
William Pryse-Phillips
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, (J.E.); Glaxo Canada Inc., Toronto, (H.F.); Department of Medicine, Ottawa General Hospital, Ottawa, (P.T.); Division of Neurology, Health Sciences Centre, St. John’s, (W.P-P.); Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, (R.F.N.); and the Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, (T.J.M.)
R.F. Nelson
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, (J.E.); Glaxo Canada Inc., Toronto, (H.F.); Department of Medicine, Ottawa General Hospital, Ottawa, (P.T.); Division of Neurology, Health Sciences Centre, St. John’s, (W.P-P.); Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, (R.F.N.); and the Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, (T.J.M.)
T.J. Murray
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, (J.E.); Glaxo Canada Inc., Toronto, (H.F.); Department of Medicine, Ottawa General Hospital, Ottawa, (P.T.); Division of Neurology, Health Sciences Centre, St. John’s, (W.P-P.); Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, (R.F.N.); and the Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, (T.J.M.)
*
Division of Neurology, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Room A460, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4N 3M5
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Abstract:

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A large sample of Canadian adults was surveyed by telephone to determine the prevalence and characterization of headache, and the effects of headache on life-style, consulting behaviours and medication use. We reported prevalence and characterization in a previous issue; here, we detail the effects of headaches on sufferers. Sixteen and one-half percent of adult Canadians experience migraine and 29% tension-type headaches. In over 70% of headache sufferers interpersonal relationships are impaired. Regular activities are limited in 78% of migraine attacks and 38% of tension-type headaches. Despite this, only 64% of migraine and 45% of tension-type headache sufferers had ever sought medical attention, and of these only 32% returned for ongoing care. Fourteen percent of migraine and 8% of tension-type headache sufferers had used emergency departments. Most headache sufferers take medication, primarily over-the-counter varieties. Measures to reach the headache population are needed, as are safe effective treatment options that will encourage them to participate in their medical care.

Type
Research Article
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 20 , Issue 2 , May 1993 , pp. 131 - 137
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation 1993

References

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