Clinical Studies Show Impact of Migraine Across Various Stages of Women’s Lives

Clinical Studies at American Headache Society 60th Annual Scientific Meeting Show Impact of Migraine Across Various Stages of Women’s Lives

[SAN FRANCISCO, CA, June 27, 2018] – At the American Headache Society (AHS)’s 60th Annual Scientific Meeting, leading migraine experts are presenting five clinical studies that deepen the understanding of the effects of episodic and chronic migraine on women’s lives throughout the years, including their personal relationships and family life. Of the 37 million Americans who suffer from migraine, 28 million are women. Research indicates women experience migraine differently than men, and their episodes of migraine often last longer.

“Migraine can often be a family affair, and it is critical that we find better ways to help women living with this disease,” said Kathleen Digre, President of the American Headache Society and Distinguished Professor Of Neurology, University of Utah, “Studies presented at this American Headache Society’s 60th Annual Scientific Meeting are advancing our understanding of migraine and its consequences in a broad range of populations.”

Migraine as a Family Affair
A study titled “Results of the Chronic Migraine Epidemiology and Outcomes (CaMEO)” shows that migraine can negatively affect many aspects of family life and place a burden on all members of the family. The study results indicated that respondents with chronic migraine were significantly more likely than those with episodic migraine to report headaches contributed to relationship issues, had detrimental effects on family life and even contributed to delays in having children or having fewer children.

Mom’s Migraine Impacts Her Child Too
“An Observational Study of the Burden of Parental Migraine on Children,” study assessed the burden of parental migraine impact on their children, particularly those 11 – 17 years old and living with their parent with migraine. Parents with migraine, as well as their children completed separate online surveys; assessing demographics, headache symptoms and the Parental Illness Impact Scale-Revised (PIIS-R) parent form. The study found that the greatest burden was in global well-being, parent/child relationship, burden of daily help and emotional impact.

Impact of Menstrual Cycle on Migraine
Based on data from the 2017 Migraine in America Symptoms and Treatment (MAST) Study, these investigators divided women with migraine into three groups based on the relationship of headache to menses: Pure Menstrual Migraine, Menstrual Related Migraine and Non-Menstrual Related Migraine. The researchers examined the relationships of migraine group to time to peak headache pain intensity, functional impairment and pain in a large sample of women with migraine. Results showed, contrary to expectation, that women with NMRM were more likely to experience peak pain intensity and peak functional impairment within one hour of headache onset compared to women with PMM or MRM. Similarly, women with NMRM had more overall pain interference than women with PMM or MRM. The findings may assist clinicians in educating women with PMM or MRM attacks to tailoring treatment choices.

Migraine During the Course of Pregnancy
This study assessed medications chosen for pregnant women experiencing acute migraine. Researchers retrospectively reviewed medication administration records of pregnant women who presented to an acute care setting with a severe migraine attack and received neurology consultation between 2009 and 2014 and included 72 pregnant women in the retrospective analysis. While the majority of pregnant women with acute migraine received medications considered relatively safe in pregnancy, there was variation in treatment choice and sequence, and several acute therapies that may have low teratogenic risk were underutilized. The findings suggest a need for guidelines and protocols to standardize treatment of acute migraine in pregnancy.

Migraine Patterns Change as Women Reach Menopausal Age
This study investigated patterns of migraine in women at their menopausal age (40 – 60 years old) who concurrently suffered from migraine headaches. Researchers examined migraine pattern change as well as menopausal status, concluding that 60% of women with migraine history at the menopausal age developed migraine pattern changes. The reported changes were mostly when their status was peri-menopausal or post-menopausal. Based on MRI scans, the investigators concluded that pituitary abnormalities were more frequent in patients with new onset migraine. Identifying the migraine worsening or new onset migraine during the menopausal transition age may help the diagnosis and treatment optimization of migraine for women during the menopausal age.

About Migraine
Migraine is a major disabling neurological disease that affects more than over 37 million men, women and children in the United States. The disease impacts one in four households, one in five women, one in 16 men and one in 11 children in the United States. Globally, migraine is the sixth highest cause of years of life lost due to disability. Individuals who experience migraine have symptoms that include nausea, sensitivity to light and/or odors, skin sensitivity, fatigue, mood change, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, neck pain and changes in vision, including seeing spots, stars, lines, flashing lights and zigzag lines. The risk of other serious diseases is significantly higher in those with migraine, including stroke, epilepsy, depression, anxiety and chronic pain. Despite this, only one of every three people talk with a doctor about their migraine attacks and of those, only half get the right diagnosis. There is also a massive shortage of specialists focusing on migraine, with one specialist for every 65,000 individuals living with migraine, which worsens the problem.

About the American Headache Society
The American Headache Society (AHS) is a professional society of health care providers dedicated to the study and treatment of headache and face pain. The Society’s objectives are to promote the exchange of information and ideas concerning the causes and treatments of headache and related painful disorders. Educating physicians, health professionals and the public and encouraging scientific research are the primary functions of this organization. AHS activities include an annual scientific meeting, a comprehensive headache symposium, regional symposia for neurologists and family practice physicians, and publication of the journal Headache. More information can be found at www.americanheadachesociety.org. In 2010 AHS founded the American Migraine Foundation (AMF) to provide access to information and resources for individuals living with migraine, as well as their loved ones. AMF is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of research and awareness surrounding migraine. Patients can learn more, find help and get connected by visiting www.americanmigrainefoundation.org.

CONTACT: Alyssa Bleiberg, Alyssa.Bleiberg@SyneosHealth.com, +1 212 845 5628 and +1 973 432 7289