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3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
Migraine and functional impairment
1Saint Thomas Health Services, Nashville Neuroscience Group, Departmentof Neurology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine,300 Twentieth Ave. N, Suite 603, Nashville, TN 37203, USA. jbrandes@nashvilleneuroscience.com
Abstract:
Migraine is a leading cause of disability worldwide; approximately half of those affected have such severe attacks that they cannot function normally in routine daily activities. Research is beginning to focus upon the burden of migraine between attacks, referred to as interictal burden. This burden encompasses worry and expectation of future attacks that consequently may be associated with limitations in social and family interactions, as well as work capacity. This review aims to increase physician awareness of the degree and scope of functional impairment associated with migraine. Physicians are in a position to assess the true impact of migraine in their patients using techniques such as open-ended questions during visits, and paper-based migraine assessment tools such as the Migraine Disability Assessment questionnaire. Eliciting such information on interictal burden may help the physician prescribe the most appropriate therapy based on their patients' degree of impairment. This article also describes the instruments most widely used for measuring migraine-related functional impairment, summarizes studies assessing the effects of migraine on indicators of health-related quality of life and presents data on how preventive migraine treatment may beneficially influence migraine-related functional impairment.
Insights
Migraine significantly impacts daily life, causing disability between attacks. Understanding this interictal burden helps physicians tailor treatments for better patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Public Health
Background:
- Migraine is a primary cause of global disability, severely limiting daily activities for many.
- Beyond acute attacks, the interictal burden (worry, anticipation) affects social, family, and work life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance physician understanding of the full scope of functional impairment caused by migraine.
- To highlight the importance of assessing interictal burden for effective treatment selection.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on migraine-related functional impairment.
- Description of assessment tools like the Migraine Disability Assessment questionnaire.
- Summary of studies on quality of life and treatment effects.
Main Results:
- Migraine's interictal burden leads to significant limitations in daily functioning.
- Various instruments effectively measure migraine-related functional impairment.
- Preventive treatments show potential to improve functional impairment.
Conclusions:
- Assessing interictal burden is crucial for personalized migraine management.
- Physician awareness and appropriate assessment tools can optimize patient care and treatment efficacy.
