OBJECTIVES

A worldwide patient survey, including Egypt as a participating country, was conducted to evaluate patient journey, epidemiology and economic burden of migraine. Data on Egyptian patients were extracted.

METHODS

Patients aged 18 years or more presenting with 4 days of migraine or more per year were recruited through online panels and patient organizations to respond to an online 30 minutes survey. 31 countries participated in the survey including Egypt. Questions included migraine management and impact of migraine on quality of life including work and productivity. The total fieldwork went from September 2017 to February 2018. Data on Egyptian patients were extracted separately.

RESULTS

450 Egyptian patients participated in the survey. 38% were females and the mean age was about 36 years old. 61% were full time employees. Most of patients spoke to a GP when discussing their condition for the very first time and it took a mean of 2.3 physicians and 3.6 visits to diagnose them with migraine. Only 27% of patients discussed their migraine diary during the consultations with a GP whereas 29% did with neurologists. 90% are incompletely satisfied from their acute medication. 91% are not completely satisfied from their preventative treatment. 75% of patients’ dissatisfaction was due to medication having too many side effects and doesn’t provide a cure. 66% (301) had failed two or more preventative treatments. 57% are facing sleep disturbance, 43% have fear from next attack. 40% would cancel their plans due to migraine and 45% of migraine patients stopped going to social events. Patients have 5.2 absenteeism days per month and 68% of patients take 1 to 5 days off. 51% of patients have learnt to cope with the disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Migraine patients report a suboptimal disease management and a significant impact on their daily life, including poor work quality of life and emotional burden.