Chronic migraine

Todd J Schwedt1

  • 1Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA.

BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.)
|March 26, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Chronic migraine, affecting 2% of people, involves frequent debilitating headaches. Management requires a comprehensive approach including trigger avoidance and varied treatments to reduce patient burden.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Chronic migraine is a disabling neurologic condition impacting 2% of the population.
  • It is characterized by headaches on ≥15 days/month, with ≥8 meeting migraine criteria.
  • This condition imposes a significant burden on patients and society due to frequent pain and associated symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of chronic migraine.
  • To discuss epidemiology, risk factors, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management.
  • To explore future research and treatment directions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current knowledge on chronic migraine.
  • Analysis of diagnostic criteria and treatment strategies.
  • Discussion of risk factors and pathophysiology.

Main Results:

  • Chronic migraine develops gradually and is associated with specific risk factors.
  • Diagnosis involves patient history, neurological exam, and sometimes further tests.
  • Treatment is multifaceted, including lifestyle changes, prophylaxis, and limited abortive therapy.

Conclusions:

  • Chronic migraine requires a multifaceted management strategy.
  • Understanding risk factors and pathophysiology is crucial for effective treatment.
  • Continued research is essential for advancing chronic migraine care.

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