“Less than 3.5% of migraine patients who would benefit from monoclonal antibody treatment seek it.”

Fatima Del Reino Iniesta (Alicante)
In Spain, less than 3.5% of candidate patients receive monoclonal antibody treatment for migraine, according to data published in The Guardian. Overcome the studio published in 2023 in the magazine Pain and therapy. It was emphasized Dr. Sonia Santos, neurologist at the Lozano Bles University Clinical Hospital in Zaragoza, during the Lundbeck seminar Migraine: in every chapter of lifeheld last Friday in Alicante.

“Despite recent advances in migraine treatment, a third of patients do not respond to symptomatic treatment (for pain), and not everyone does preventative treatment. In addition, in our country, access to new methods of treating migraine is difficult, and it less than 3.5% of patients candidates. In addition, they need additional monographic consultations headaches that ensure quality care and better coordination with the various levels of care involved in the management of these patientsDr. Santos said.

Beyond the pain

During her presentation, Dr. Sonia Santos emphasized that migraine It’s not just a headache. In this sense, he explained that migraine is chronic neurological disease it constantly affects those who suffer from it. “Pain is only the most noticeable and acute phase of this condition. However, a migraine patient experiences persistent symptoms for days or even weeks.

“, he assured.

Migraine is the leading cause of disability in women under 50 years of age.

Symptoms of this condition range from sensitivity to light and sound to nausea and extreme fatigue, which limits concentration and performance in both work and personal life. In addition, this pathology leading cause of disability in women under 50 years of age And second among adults of all ages. However, despite the high prevalence present in every fourth house in our countrymigraine remains a poorly understood and underestimated disease

13 million lost days a year

One of the most important aspects is economic and social burden What is this pathology? It is estimated that in adults, absence from work due to migraine They amount to 13 million lost days a year.. During her presentation, Dr. Santos shared experiences of patients and professionals who have made poor work decisions due to pain or exhaustion caused by the condition, and emphasized that working during a migraine attack not only compromises productivity, but also safety at work.

“Migraines represent a loss of 13 million working days per year in Spain”

“Migraine patients report difficulty concentrating and thinking clearlywhich increases the risk of errors in work, often with serious consequences,” Santos added. In some cases, migraines can cause work overload as other employees have to take on the tasks of those who are frequently absent due to illness.

Migraine and stigma: a barrier to diagnosis and treatment

According to Dr. Santos, social stigma and lack of information about migraines are major barriers for those seeking medical help. “Many people view migraines as a simple excuse to miss work, and this has a profound impact on patients who are already suffering physically and emotionally.“This stigma causes many people to avoid talking about their migraines at work and at home, delaying diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Dr. Santos explained that stigma is not only external, but also internal, which creates in patients a feeling of guilt for migraine and anticipation of the possibility of a new attack. That’s why, “Patient education and involvement in their care are fundamental principles of migraine treatment.”– the neurologist emphasized. chronic migraineone of the most severe forms of this pathology, is 2.4% cases in the general population and profoundly limits quality of life.

Chronic migraine, one of the most severe forms of this pathology, accounts for 2.4% of cases in the general population and seriously limits quality of life.

Hormonal factors, stress and sleep changes

Dr. Santos also reviewed the numerous causes of migraines in adults. Stress, which increasingly affects the population in modern life, is one of the most common and difficult to control triggers. Changes in sleep patterns, physical and mental exhaustion, and hormonal changes, especially in women, are also factors cited by patients as aggravating their symptoms.

“In addition to stress and hormonal changes, other factors can trigger an episode, such as the consumption of certain foods or atmospheric changes. The problem is that most migraines are the result of a combination of these factors, making attacks difficult to prevent.“, he pointed out. Faced with this situation, Dr. Santos warns that each patient must find his own triggers and avoid reorganizing his life around them, since there is no general pattern.

The average duration of a migraine attack is shorter in men (32.1 hours) than in women (36.7 hours and 44.4 hours during menstruation). They are more likely to have a combination of photophobia, sonophobia, nausea and abnormal pain perception, and men are more likely to have an aura.

“Characteristics of migraines in women may be altered not only during menstruation, but also during pregnancy, menopause, and the use of birth control or hormone replacement therapy.”

According to Dr. Sonia Santos “In women, the characteristics of migraines may change not only during menstruation, but also during pregnancy, menopause, and while using contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy. “It all seems to be related to fluctuations and drops in estrogen levels.” He 18-25% of women suffer from migraines during menstruation and 8 to 13% describe their first migraine attack during menopause.

“During menstruation, women experience prolonged migraine attacks and greater intensity. Most experience significant improvement during pregnancy, especially from the second and third trimester. In the postpartum period, relapses are the norm. Up to a third of women get worse again within the first week and more than 50% in the first month due to falling estrogen levels, more stress and less rest. Finally, for many women, migraines go away as they approach menopause, although this is not always the case.“, concluded Dr. Santos.