Migraine patients in Germany - need for medical recognition and new preventive treatments: results from the PANORAMA survey

Abstract

Abstract Background Migraine is a primary headache disorder characterized by recurrent attacks that may have a significant impact on patients’ daily life. Treatment options must often be re-evaluated in light of efficacy, tolerability and compliance issues. Few data on commonly applied treatment algorithms and treatment failures have existed in Germany in 2017/2018. The PANORAMA survey was designed to explore and characterize the migraine healthcare landscape and to demonstrate the medical treatment need at that time in Germany. Methods Three different questionnaires were used to assess the profile of the 119 participating centers, characterize migraine patients at centers and evaluate qualitative aspects of the current migraine healthcare situation from a physician´s professional perspective. Data were analyzed as observed and summarized by descriptive statistics. Results The results demonstrate that once referred to a migraine specialist, the majority of patients continue to be treated at a specialist. At specialized centers, 41.6 % of migraine patients receive prophylactic treatment. 45.4 % of prophylactic treatments are initiated with a beta-blocker and 28.1 % with an anti-epileptic. Pivotal factors to initiate prophylactic treatment are migraine attack frequency and intensity (58.0 %). Treatment decisions are largely based on prior / concomitant diseases and physical constitution of the patient (52.1 %). Following an inadequate treatment, most patients either switch substance class or discontinue prophylactic treatment. Conclusions PANORAMA gives a comprehensive overview of the migraine healthcare landscape in Germany in 2017/2018, elucidates a lack of common treatment algorithms and reveals a high demand for defined therapy strategies and new prophylactic treatment going forwards.

Keywords

• Migraine
• Healthcare systems
• Headache
• Patient care
• Preventive treatment