National Migraine Survey Shows Heavy Toll Exacted On Canadian Women, Families And Society

Main Category: Headache / Migraine
Article Date: 26 Sep 2005 - 1:00 PDT

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Results of a national survey released today by the newly established Headache Network Canada reveal that women who suffer from migraine headaches experience a "double burden": in addition to suffering from incapacitating migraines, they are misunderstood and their quality of life is diminished.

Thirty-two per cent of Canadian adult women (or approximately 3.1 million) suffer from debilitating migraine headaches. Furthermore, an average of 20.8 days are lost every year by Canadian female migraine sufferers incapacitated by their condition; 92 per cent say they are kept from attending work or school and often miss family and social events.

"These findings are certainly an eye-opener," says Valerie South, Treasurer of Headache Network Canada. "The data shows that migraine headaches literally disable the person. They can cause recurring, total although temporary disability that impacts individuals' as well as families' lives. The number of lost days also sheds light on the economic consequences in the workplace."

Canadian overview

This first Canadian Migraine in Women Survey shows that migraine affects some 3.1 million adult Canadian women, including 38 per cent of women 18 to 24, 30.4 per cent of women between the ages of 25 and 55, 18 per cent of women 55 to 64 and 8 per cent of women over 65. Regionally, higher incidences of migraine are observed in the Prairies (32 per cent) and Atlantic Canada (30 per cent) compared with Ontario and Quebec at 25 per cent respectively and British Columbia with a rate of 20 per cent.

A heavy toll on society

A total of 20.8 days per year were reported "lost" by migraine sufferers; women subject to frequent migraine attacks said they lost a yearly average of 36.8 days. Uniquely, the number of lost days reported by B.C.-based migraineurs was 46.6 annually.

"If we add up the numbers on a national basis, we arrive at the staggering figure of 63.4 millions lost days every year", says Dr. Gary Shapero, a family physician and director of the Markham Headache and Pain Treatment Centre, in Unionville, Ontario. "If we look at women between the ages of 25 and 55 _ considered our most productive years, the total of 42.9 million days lost can give us a measure of the real havoc this dysfunction can unleash on the lives of the families, the workplaces and society in general."

A double burden for migraineurs

The survey also shows that 73 per cent of women who experience painful migraines also feel they lack control over their lives. Adding to this double burden, 75 per cent or three in four women migraineurs feel misunderstood and say they must often face the cynicism of people near them because of their condition.

"The survey confirms how these women see their suffering compounded by isolation and a lack of understanding from those close to them, either at home or at work. The fear of being judged negatively by your boss or colleagues just adds to other difficult feeling like guilt that forced absenteeism may bring about," adds Dr. Shapero.

Women suffer in silence

The survey reveals that close to four out of 10 migraine sufferers (38 per cent) admit they have never consulted a health care professional about their headaches.

Even when they do consult their physician, as 62 per cent say they have, between 41 per cent and 63 per cent of female migraineurs are not wholly satisfied with their current medication either in terms of its ease of use, its convenience or its effectiveness.

"The result is painful: women migraineurs suffer in silence from their symptoms and are most likely to remain unaware of available appropriate medications that can help them manage their condition and to remain functional," adds Headache Network Canada's Valerie South. "It seems women only consult when their back is to the wall whereas they should see their doctor sooner. Shrugging it off will just not do, and it's not 'normal' to experience headaches of any type on a regular basis."

Coping with migraine attacks: minority seek physician help

To cope with their migraine attacks, 65 per cent of women migraineurs say they take medication and 61 per cent stay in bed until it's over; another 19 per cent indicate they stay in a dark room until it passes.

"We were surprised to note that one in ten migraine sufferers _ over 300,000 women _ do not take any medication whatsoever to treat their condition" says South _ also a Registered Nurse and author of the self-help book Migraine.

High dissatisfaction = Unmet relief

The average rate of dissatisfaction among migraineurs with either the ease of use, convenience of their formulation, and effectiveness of their current medication was 68 per cent. Close to 8 in 10 (79 per cent) of women who experience frequent migraines and 77 per cent of women not using migraine-specific prescribed medication claim to be not wholly satisfied with their treatment.

"Despite this unmet need, an average of only 38 per cent say they have asked their physician about more suitable or effective medication", says the HNC's Valerie South.

"Women are suffering needlessly while fast-acting, more effective, convenient and specific treatment options are available," says Dr. Shapero. "Their reluctance to discuss their condition with a physician may make them feel that what they have achieved is the most relief they can experience with their current medication. That can be a painful mistake with this chronic condition."

Migraine symptoms to look out for

"Anyone whose bad headache makes it difficult to get through a day's normal activities and whose head hurts only on one side or feels throbbing pain or the pain increase at the slightest move paired with a sensitivity to noise or light accompanied by nausea and possible vomiting may be experiencing a migraine attack," says Dr. Shapero. "If you recognize these symptoms, consult with your doctor."

About the survey

The Canadian Women's Migraine Survey was conducted on behalf of the Headache Network Canada by Baromètre and supported by Merck Frosst Canada Ltd. Aimed at examining the level of incidence and perceptions of migraine and of its consequences, the research was carried out between July 6 and 24, 2005, among 1,210 adult Canadian women over 18, 300 of whom presented symptoms of migraine. The results are considered accurate to within 2.9 percentage points (19 times out of 20).

About the Headache Network Canada (HNC)

Headache Network Canada is a not-for-profit Canadian organization dedicated to providing headache sufferers and their families with evidence-based medical and scientific information on the recognition and treatment of headache disorders through education. Canadians can now consult

HNC's innovative website at http://www.headachenetwork.ca

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