Tele-healthcare in migraine medicine: from diagnosis to monitoring treatment outcomes

Evolving migraine management: Lithuania's telemedicine experience

Introduction

COVID-19 challenges have underscored the potential of telemedicine in migraine management. This study focuses on assessing patients' telemedicine experience for headache management in Lithuania and identifying key barriers and facilitators for its wider use.

Methods

A nationwide e-survey was conducted in 2023 via the Lithuanian Association of Migraine Patients' website, social media platforms, websites of public and private healthcare facilities, and migraine self-help groups. The survey covered sociodemographics, migraine characteristics, previous experience with teleconsultations for headaches with neurologists and general practitioners (GP), perceived advantages and disadvantages of telehealth, and preferred future consultation types.

Results

Eight hundred and forty seven respondents with a confirmed migraine diagnosis were analyzed. The majority were female (97.2%), with a median age of 35 (IQR 30-42) years and an average of 5 (IQR 3-9) monthly headache days (MHDs). 7.0% of respondents had chronic migraine (CM). Prior teleconsultations for headaches were reported by 35.2% of respondents, 26.2% with a GP and 17.0% with a neurologist (p < 0.0001). Teleconsultation outcomes included continuation of a prescribed treatment (84.7% for GPs and 83.3% for neurologists, p = 0.7295), initiation of new acute medications (12.2% for GPs with 70.4% reported as effective and 27.1% for neurologists with 84.6% effective, p = 0.0005 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Reasons for not undergoing remote neurology consultations: the lack of inquiry (69.7%), unavailability from neurologists (18.1%) and respondent's opposition to remote consultations (12.2%). Patients evaluated their experience with remote neurology services better than that of GPs (p = 0.0289). 67.3% of respondents preferred a mixed-mode approach for future consultations. In-person-only preference (29.0%) correlated with multiple factors, including history of remote primary neurology consultations (OR 5.89, p = 0.0022), lower education (OR 2.20, p = 0.0001), physically demanding work (OR 1.95, p = 0.0001), and number of drawbacks in telemedicine identified (OR 1.30, p < 0.0001), and worse experience of a prior remote GP consultation (OR 0.704, p < 0.0001). The main indicator of preference for remote-only consultations was the perception of fewer telemedicine disadvantages (OR 0.503, p = 0.0007).

Conclusions

Our findings confirm that telemedicine contributes to effective migraine management and is used limitedly in Lithuania. Despite one-third of respondents having experienced teleconsultations, significant barriers remain. Our study highlights a clear preference for a hybrid consultation type.

The World Health Organization Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders and the headache revolution: from headache burden to a global action plan for headache disorders

The World Health Organization (WHO) Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders was developed by WHO to address the worldwide challenges and gaps in provision of care and services for people with epilepsy and other neurological disorders and to ensure a comprehensive, coordinated response across sectors to the burden of neurologic diseases and to promote brain health across life-course. Headache disorders constitute the second most burdensome of all neurological diseases after stroke, but the first if young and midlife adults are taken into account. Despite the availability of a range of treatments, disability associated with headache disorders, and with migraine, remains very high. In addition, there are inequalities between high-income and low and middle income countries in access to medical care. In line with several brain health initiatives following the WHOiGAP resolution, herein we tailor the main pillars of the action plan to headache disorders: (1) raising policy prioritization and strengthen governance; (2) providing effective, timely and responsive diagnosis, treatment and care; (3) implementing strategies for promotion and prevention; (4) fostering research and innovation and strengthen information systems. Specific targets for future policy actions are proposed. The Global Action Plan triggered a revolution in neurology, not only by increasing public awareness of brain disorders and brain health but also by boosting the number of neurologists in training, raising research funding and making neurology a public health priority for policy makers. Reducing the burden of headache disorders will not only improve the quality of life and wellbeing of people with headache but also reduce the burden of neurological disorders increasing global brain health and, thus, global population health.

Health equity, care access and quality in headache - part 2

BACKGROUND

Headache disorders are a global public health concern affecting diverse populations. This review examines headache service organizations in low-, middle-, and high-income countries. It addresses global challenges in pharmacological headache treatment, with a focus on safety, tolerability, reproductive and child health, and outlines disparities in accessing innovative treatments worldwide.

MAIN BODY

Organized headache services are essential due to the wide prevalence and varying severity of headache disorders. The tiered headache service model is globally recognized, although its implementation varies based on financial and workforce considerations. Headache burden affects well-being, causing disability, economic challenges, and work limitations, irrespective of location or income. All nations still require improved diagnosis and treatment, and the majority of countries face obstacles including limited access, awareness, economic barriers, and inadequate health policies. Provided adequate internet availability, telemedicine could help improve health equity by expanding access to headache care, since it can offer patients access to services without lengthy waiting times or extensive travel and can provide healthcare unavailable in underserved areas due to staff shortages. Numerous health disparities restrict global access to many headache medications, especially impacting individuals historically excluded from randomized controlled trials, such as those with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions, as well as pregnant women. Furthermore, despite advancements in researching migraine treatments for young patients, the options for treatment remain limited. Access to headache treatment relies on factors like medication availability, approval, financial coverage, and healthcare provider expertise. Inadequate public awareness leads to neglect by policymakers and undertreatment by patients and healthcare providers. Global access discrepancies are exacerbated by the introduction of novel disease-specific medications, particularly impacting Asian, African, and Latin American nations excluded from clinical trials. While North America and Europe experience broad availability of migraine treatments, the majority of countries worldwide lack access to these therapies.

CONCLUSIONS

Healthcare disparities, treatment access, and medication availability are concerning issues in headache medicine. Variations in national healthcare systems impact headache management, and costly innovative drugs are widening these gaps. Healthcare practitioners and experts should acknowledge these challenges and work towards minimizing access barriers for equitable global headache care in the future.

Rethinking headache as a global public health case model for reaching the SDG 3 HEALTH by 2030

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development sets out, through 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a path for the prosperity of people and the planet. SDG 3 in particular aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages and includes several targets to enhance health. This review presents a "headache-tailored" perspective on how to achieve SDG 3 by focusing on six specific actions: targeting chronic headaches; reducing the overuse of acute pain-relieving medications; promoting the education of healthcare professionals; granting access to medication in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC); implementing training and educational opportunities for healthcare professionals in low and middle income countries; building a global alliance against headache disorders. Addressing the burden of headache disorders directly impacts on populations' health, as well as on the possibility to improve the productivity of people aged below 50, women in particular. Our analysis pointed out several elements, and included: moving forward from frequency-based parameters to define headache severity; recognizing and managing comorbid diseases and risk factors; implementing a disease management multi-modal management model that incorporates pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments; early recognizing and managing the overuse of acute pain-relieving medications; promoting undergraduate, postgraduate, and continuing medical education of healthcare professionals with specific training on headache; and promoting a culture that favors the recognition of headaches as diseases with a neurobiological basis, where this is not yet recognized. Making headache care more sustainable is an achievable objective, which will require multi-stakeholder collaborations across all sectors of society, both health-related and not health-related. Robust investments will be needed; however, considering the high prevalence of headache disorders and the associated disability, these investments will surely improve multiple health outcomes and lift development and well-being globally.

Telemedicine in Headache Medicine: A Narrative Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of the study is to review and discuss the use of telemedicine in headache medicine.

RECENT FINDINGS

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of telemedicine for headache was most common in Europe. In recent years, however, telemedicine has been used broadly within headache medicine, including for pediatric patients and behavioral interventions. Several randomized clinical trials have shown that telemedicine is non-inferior to face-to-face visits. Multiple studies have reported substantial benefits associated with telemedicine, including high satisfaction rates, improved access to headache specialists, reduced travel, quicker visits, greater cost-effectiveness, reduced wait times, reduced no-show rates, and the increased comfort of remaining in one's home environment. The main limitation reported is the lack of a physical examination, including fundus assessment. Telemedicine has become a vital tool in headache patient care, with the data supporting its use for patient follow-up in particular.

Diagnostic accuracy of an artificial intelligence online engine in migraine: A multi‐center study

Objective

This study assesses the concordance in migraine diagnosis between an online, self‐administered, Computer‐based, Diagnostic Engine (CDE) and semi‐structured interview (SSI) by a headache specialist, both using International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (ICHD‐3) criteria.

Background

Delay in accurate diagnosis is a major barrier to headache care. Accurate computer‐based algorithms may help reduce the need for SSI‐based encounters to arrive at correct ICHD‐3 diagnosis.

Methods

Between March 2018 and August 2019, adult participants were recruited from three academic headache centers and the community via advertising to our cross‐sectional study. Participants completed two evaluations: phone interview conducted by headache specialists using the SSI and a web‐based expert questionnaire and analytics, CDE. Participants were randomly assigned to either the SSI followed by the web‐based questionnaire or the web‐based questionnaire followed by the SSI. Participants completed protocols a few minutes apart. The concordance in migraine/probable migraine (M/PM) diagnosis between SSI and CDE was measured using Cohen’s kappa statistics. The diagnostic accuracy of CDE was assessed using the SSI as reference standard.

Results

Of the 276 participants consented, 212 completed both SSI and CDE (study completion rate = 77%; median age = 32 years [interquartile range: 28–40], female:male ratio = 3:1). Concordance in M/PM diagnosis between SSI and CDE was: κ = 0.83 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.75–0.91). CDE diagnostic accuracy: sensitivity = 90.1% (118/131), 95% CI: 83.6%–94.6%; specificity = 95.8% (68/71), 95% CI: 88.1%–99.1%. Positive and negative predictive values = 97.0% (95% CI: 91.3%–99.0%) and 86.6% (95% CI: 79.3%–91.5%), respectively, using identified migraine prevalence of 60%. Assuming a general migraine population prevalence of 10%, positive and negative predictive values were 70.3% (95% CI: 43.9%–87.8%) and 98.9% (95% CI: 98.1%–99.3%), respectively.

Conclusion

The SSI and CDE have excellent concordance in diagnosing M/PM. Positive CDE helps rule in M/PM, through high specificity and positive likelihood ratio. A negative CDE helps rule out M/PM through high sensitivity and low negative likelihood ratio. CDE that mimics SSI logic is a valid tool for migraine diagnosis.

Narrative-based medicine in headache disorders

In this editorial we aim to provide an overview of Narrative-based Medicine (NBM) and highlight what it may offer to the care of individuals with headache disorders.

Novel Migraine Therapies May Reduce Public and Personal Disadvantages for People with Migraine

The introduction of new drug classes for migraine, such as monoclonal antibodies that target the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) or its receptor and small-molecule antagonists of CGRP, have opened a new scenario in a large population of individuals suffering from migraines. The provision of an effective and safe therapy can help overcome the high social and personal costs together with the burden of this disease by offering social, work and economic recovery to the people affected by migraine. Whether the satisfaction of personal and collective unmet needs will be achieved in the vast majority of migraine sufferers now depends only on the efficiency of the organizational care structures dedicated to this socially impactful disease. This path will offer personal benefits and significant psychosocial relief that will help to reduce the enormous current healthcare expenditure necessary for the management of the huge number of individuals suffering from migraines. The new pharmacological classes for prevention must be applied as an interdiction to the chronic phase to express their full rehabilitation potential.