The Migraine Awareness Maria-Magdalena WYSOCKA-BAKOWSKA

Migraine awareness in patients and doctors. Need for changes Wysocka-Bakowska, M.D., Ph.D Warsaw, POLAND

Awareness important because MIGRAINE is: Undiagnosed, underestimated Undertreated, mistreated Unsatisfactory selfmedication and OTC drugs overuse Reliance on the treatment

Is getting better ! Courses local and international, EHF, IHS Important role in teaching and cooperating with GPs and headache patients' population Need for better Structures, special Centres, Best: locally available GP doctors trained in headache management. Awareness among specialists

At present migraine patient rather underestimated Limited time for headache patient Headache not a priority Old treatment schemes Neglecting medication (overuse headaches) Current treatment: analgesics, NSAIDS, mixed analg. and OTC ! Triptans in 5% of migraine patients!!! Awareness among GPs

Education: regular courses, articles Guidelines for treatment Tools for diagnosis: IHS II 2004, short and simple „extracts” GP future needs

Low awareness of migraine Mis-self-diagnosis, self-treatment Informations from: –pharmacy 77%, –family / friends 65%, –media 60%, –doctors 40% POLAND, a. Stępień et al Patients

Only 43 to 60 % of patients come to physician! Only 15% have follow-up visits The role of GPs and Specialists Reference policy Access to Specialists and Headache Centres Who treats migraine ?

Patients organisations, lay groups Needs for education materials Need for regular evaluation Need for proper effective treatment Limit drug overuse and misuse ! Patients: current and future needs

SPEAK about HEADACHE and MIGRAINE and its IMPACT on LIFE, WORK and FAMILY !!!! INFORM: articles, leaflets TV and radio programmes The role of media and internet, other possibilities? International / national day/week against migraine Raise awareness among general population:

Health care system Insurance companies Environment, community Work absentiism Awareness among the third powerful person

Migraine as a chronic illness WHO recognised Migraine diagnosis is possible Effective treatment is possible General Awareness of:

Local (Poland): migraine awareness week, programmes in radio, TV, articles in popular magazines screening programmes Headache Schools for doctors and for patients PR activities

Promote better education in headache for GP doctors Better treatment drugs, triptans Cooperation with international EHF, IHS initiatives LIFTING THE BURDEN The Global Campaign to Reduce the Burden of Headache Worldwide Summary and goals for future CEEAM role

Plans for future CEEAM activities on local and international platform: symposia, headache schools, stipends, treatment studies Patient awareness groups, lay organisations Cooperate with WHA –World Headache Association