To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: New Study Shows Migraine Hits Women Harder URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/C9CA.htm Doctor's Guide September 25, 1996
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Sept. 25, 1996 - Migraine impacts women much more significantly than men according to a new national study designed to gauge effects of the disease on its primary sufferers. Migraine is a serious, often debilitating disease. It affects an estimated one in six American women -- an estimated 18 million -- at a 3:1 ratio over men. In addition to a disproportionate prevalence of migraine among women, the disease also has a greater overall impact on the lives of many female sufferers. Self esteem, professional development and family and social life were a few areas in which women reported experiencing more negative effects than men. For example, of the two-thirds of female sufferers (68 percent) reporting that women's role in the family is a key factor in the impact of migraine on the family, 90 percent reported that family responsibilities are the cause of the higher impact on women, and of those who felt their professional development or career considerations were affected by migraine, one-third (35 percent) reported that the combination of being a woman and a migraine sufferer makes life in the workplace more difficult than it is for male sufferers. According to a panel of female physicians assembled to interpret the study results, female sufferers have a tendency to minimize or deny their migraine condition and avoid seeking treatment for fear of reinforcing the female stereotype of being "emotional or weak." Although it is not known for sure, many scientists believe that a migraine attack is caused by a sequence of events that causes blood vessels in the brain to tighten, then dilate, resulting in the throbbing pain of a migraine headache. These changes may be caused by alterations in serotonin, a naturally occurring chemical in the body. Migraine is characterized by severe pain, usually on one side of the head, and often accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, sound and smell. Attacks occur periodically and can last from four to 72 hours. A majority of migraine sufferers have reported that they suffer in silence and continue to be debilitated by the condition rather than treatment(1). Physicians perceive that the average patient suffers 3.5 years before seeking treatment(2). The national study examining the impact of migraine on women consisted of phone interviews with a nationally projectable sample of 284 (269 weighted) female migraine sufferers, was conducted by Opinion Research Corporation of Princeton, N.J. for Glaxo Wellcome Inc. The study was conducted between Oct. 5 and Oct. 18, 1995. To qualify for inclusion in the survey, individuals had to be diagnosed as migraine sufferers or report suffering from migraine symptoms according to International Headache Society criteria. A panel comprised of five female physicians were asked to respond to the study findings. They are health-care professionals who regularly treat women with migraine and represent a range of disciplines including family and internal medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, neurology and psychology. "While the prevalence of migraine in women is due primarily to hormonal influences, the impact in many cases is psychological and/or environmental," says one panel member, Dr. Paula Hillard, an obstetrician/gynecologist at the Drake Center in Cincinnati. "The lack of public understanding of migraine has conditioned many women to keep their 'problem' to themselves." "Women need to understand that migraine is a legitimate, biological disease that can be treated and managed," Hillard continues. "The sufferer should see their physician, communicate openly and honestly, and work with him or her to develop an appropriate management and treatment program to help lessen the negative impact of migraine." Based upon an analysis of the study results, the panel of women physicians felt that migraine impacts women in six ways, and isolates them from the activities and people they care about most, creating six "degrees" of isolation including prevalence/biology, self esteem, family life, social life, professional development and misconceptions. PREVALENCE: MIGRAINE AS A "WOMEN'S DISEASE" Over half (52 percent) of female migraine sufferers reported that they were unaware of the higher incidence of migraine in women. After being told that women suffered from migraine at a 3:1 ratio over men, female respondents indicated they were relieved that they were not alone in their suffering. Additionally, while the majority of migraine sufferers are women, only one-fifth (19 percent) of female sufferers reported that they consider migraine to be a "women's disease." Significantly, however, nearly half (45 percent) stated that they think others consider migraine to be a women's disease. When female sufferers were asked to explain the higher incidence of migraine among women, most inaccurately attributed it to stress (59 percent), versus legitimate reasons such as hormones (28 percent), menstrual cycles (16 percent) and biology (5 percent). "Most women do not recognize the commonality of migraine among women," says Dr. Elizabeth Loder, an internist and director of the Headache Management Program at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston. "Consequently, they often believe that they are alone in their suffering, do not take their condition seriously -- thinking that it must really not be as bad as it seems -- and do not seek treatment. Those who do seek treatment are likely to cite what they perceive to be more 'acceptable' factors as the cause of their head pain, such as stress or sinusitis, rather than admit to what they feel is the 'weakness' of a migraine -- it's as if they're ashamed." SELF ESTEEM: FEMALE SUFFERERS FEEL INABILITY TO COPE WITH LIFE One-third of female migraine sufferers (33 percent) reported that migraine has affected their ability to be in control of their life. Among the one in five (21 percent) who responded that migraine has affected their confidence or ability to cope with life, when asked to choose from a list of possible responses, the majority described feeling frustrated (80 percent) or angry (52 percent). Many described feeling resentful (41 percent), resigned or accepting of their condition (41 percent), guilty (33 percent) or embarrassed (20 percent). One in seven female sufferers (14 percent) reported that their self-esteem has been negatively affected by others' perception of migraine. "When women with migraine are continually made to feel that they are making excuses to avoid participating in social activities, meeting a work deadline or making dinner for the kids, they often begin to doubt themselves, and then blame themselves for not coping better, which can prevent them from seeking treatment," said Dr. Marla Tobin, a family physician, president and founder of Family Practice Associates, West Central Missouri, P.C., and administrator and director of Warrensburg Rural Health Clinic, Warrensburg, Mo. Most women also feel that suffering from migraine affects their overall health. When read a list of medical conditions, nearly half the respondents said they believe migraine contributed to their increased consumption of medications (49 percent) or to insomnia (48 percent). More than one in three believed migraine contributed to the onset of stomach problems (35 percent) and led to depression (33 percent). Twenty-three percent said their migraines impacted their weight fluctuation, and one in eight said their migraine contributed to psychological problems (13 percent). Nearly one-third (29 percent) of female sufferers responded that they live in fear of their next migraine attack. MIGRAINE ROBS WOMEN OF FAMILY AND SOCIAL LIFE Two-thirds of female migraine sufferers (68 percent) reported that the impact of migraine is higher in women because of their larger role in the family unit. Of these two-thirds, nearly all (90 percent) cited that the reason for the higher impact was their additional childcare/family and general household responsibilities. Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of female sufferers reported that the overall impact of migraine on their family was significant. One sufferer noted, "Just getting home from work and having to cook, take care of the children, and getting (sic) them ready for bed. These demands are usually more than men have to face every day." Nearly one-third (32 percent) of female sufferers with children reported that migraine has had a negative impact on their relationship with their children, with the majority (63 percent) of these mothers reporting that they cannot engage in activities with children during a migraine attack. Common female sufferer responses for activities missed with children include helping with their child's homework or other school projects (55 percent), attending a child's school event such as sporting, music, theatrical or other activity (44 percent); attending birthday parties or other events (31 percent) and attending holiday celebrations or parties (28 percent). When female sufferers were prompted with a list of responses and asked to describe how they felt about being unable to participate in family activities because of a migraine attack, frustration (60 percent), anger (27 percent) and guilt (24 percent) ranked high. Eighteen percent reported feeling resentful about missing family activities. However, 43 percent said they were resigned or accepting it as it is. According to Dr. Kathleen Farmer, psychologist and administrator of the Headache Care Center in Springfield, Mo., "Most women are still the primary caretakers and have a pivotal role in the family. When an attack strikes, mom feels guilty that she cannot fulfill her responsibilities, which only compounds the negative impact of migraine on herself and her family." Almost all female migraine sufferers (94 percent) with older children (12- 17 years of age) reported that children have to make special considerations during their mother's migraine attacks. Eighty-five percent of these female sufferers reported that children stop playing music or engaging in other loud activities, 64 percent reported that their children refrain from asking questions or advice on schoolwork or personal issues, 47 percent reported that children cancel plans to have friends over and 40 percent reported that children go to a friend's house. Female sufferers themselves reported taking a variety of actions pertaining to the care of their younger children (under 12 years of age) during an attack, such as asking other family members, neighbors or friends to take their child (52 percent), canceling plans to play, spend time or do homework with their children (67 percent), canceling outside activities such as play dates or outings (63 percent) and arranging for a baby-sitter (23 percent). --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. 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