Chronic Migraine Impacts More than Just the Sufferer with Significant Burden on Families

RED BANK, N.J., June 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- New data reveal that the burden of Chronic Migraine extends beyond those living with the condition, significantly impacting family members as well.¹ According to a web-based study of nearly 1000 women and men with Chronic Migraine,^1,2 respondents reported missed activities and lost time with partners and children, as a result of the condition. Specifically, respondents cancelled plans more than four times per month on average and reported reduced involvement in family activities nearly seven times per month on average.¹ Those surveyed also reported missing a date or social event with their partner nearly three times per month on average and 20 percent of respondents have missed a planned family vacation as a result of Chronic Migraine within the past year.

Chronic Migraine is a distinct neurologic condition defined as having 15 or more headache days per month, with headaches lasting four hours a day or longer and at least eight of those headache days being associated with migraine.³

"People living with Chronic Migraine typically spend at least half of each month with a headache," said Susan Broner, M.D., practicing neurologist and medical director of the Manhattan Headache Center. In recognition of Migraine Awareness Month, Dr. Broner is partnering with Beth Battaglino, R.N., CEO and President of HealthyWomen, to raise awareness for the condition and provide helpful tools and resources to those living with Chronic Migraine.

"This sheds light on how much chronic migraineurs miss out on time with loved ones," said Battaglino. "Because women are three times more likely than men to suffer from migraines,⁴ our hope is that this new data will raise awareness of the magnitude of this debilitating condition among both women who live with Chronic Migraine as well as their family members. We want to encourage those who are impacted to talk to their doctor about their symptoms and begin a discussion about treatment options."

As part of this new partnership with Allergan, Inc., HealthyWomen is enhancing its online resources with the creation of the "HealthyWomen Chronic Migraine Center." This dedicated section of HealthyWomen.org will help those seeking support and information about the condition.

Among the resources in the Chronic Migraine Center is a new Chronic Migraine screening tool. The ID-Chronic Migraine (ID-CM) screening tool is the only tool developed using the most recent headache classification guidelines.⁵ Developed by a team of headache experts, it is designed to help patients communicate better with their healthcare providers about  headache symptoms and the impact those symptoms have on their daily lives.

"The information captured in the ID-CM screening tool will help physicians document a Chronic Migraine diagnosis and inform a discussion on treatment options," said Dr. Broner. "Despite the availability of treatment options, a majority of Chronic Migraine patients may still remain undiagnosed. As a result, women suffering with Chronic Migraine may be unaware of the treatment options available to them."⁶

To learn more about the ID-CM screening tool, and for other helpful resources, visit the HealthyWomen Chronic Migraine Center at www.HealthyWomen.org/ChronicMigraineCenter. To find a headache specialist in your area, visit www.MyChronicMigraine.com. 

About the CaMEO Study
The Chronic Migraine Epidemiology and Outcomes (CaMEO) Study was designed with a particular emphasis on understanding the differences between chronic and episodic migraine, and aims to provide a naturalistic understanding of the longitudinal course and consequences of migraine (every three months over 12 months) and quantify variations in headache frequency, headache-related disability, comorbidities, medication use, and familial impact, as a complement to earlier studies designed to assess prevalence and burden of illness.² This study was funded by Allergan, Inc.

About HealthyWomen.org
For more than 25 years, HealthyWomen has inspired and empowered millions of women to take a proactive role in their health. A progressive and unique women's health not-for-profit, HealthyWomen combines a 24/7 online health media platform with award-winning education and advocacy campaigns. HealthyWomen's Web destination engages with readers and health care providers alike and provides valuable health information that educates women and guides them through the various ages and stages of life. For more information visit www.healthywomen.org.

Media Contacts
Theresa Dolge, 215.928.2748; [email protected]

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¹ Data on File, Allergan, Inc.; 2014; Buse DC, Dodick DW, Serrano D, Adams AM. Family Burden of Chronic Migraine to the Migraineur: Results of the CaMEO (Chronic Migraine Epidemiology & Outcomes) Study.
- And - Data on File, Allergan , Inc.; 2015; Buse DC, Dodick DW, Adams AM. Migraineur Perception Regarding Family Burden from Chronic Migraine: Results of the CaMEO (Chronic Migraine Epidemiology & Outcomes) Study.
² Manack Adams A, et al. The impact of chronic migraine: The Chronic Migraine Epidemiology and Outcomes (CaMEO) Study methods and baseline results. Cephalalgia. 2014 Oct: 0(0):1-16.
³ Headache Classification Subcommittee of the International Headache Society. The International Classification of Headache Disorders: 3 beta. Cephalalgia. 2013;33(9):629-808.
⁴ Diamond S, et al. Patterns Of Diagnosis And Acute And Preventive Treatment For Migraine In The United States: Results From The American Migraine Prevalence And Prevention Study. Headache. 2007;47:355-363.
⁵ Lipton, RB, Serrano D, Buse DC, et al. Improving the Detection of Chronic Migraine: Development and Validation of the Identify Chronic Migraine(ID-CM). Cephalagia 2015, Manuscript Accepted.
⁶ Bigal ME, Serrano D, Reed M, Lipton RB. Chronic migraine in the population: burden, diagnosis, and satisfaction with treatment. Neurology. 2008;71(8):559-566.

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