A Survey of Greek Primary Care Physicians on Their Likeability in Treating Migraines and Other Common Diseases.

Background and objectives: Migraine is considered the most clinically important primary headache due to its high prevalence and significant burden. Although globally categorized as one of the leading causes of disability, it is still largely underdiagnosed and undertreated. Worldwide, migraine care is in most cases provided by primary care physicians. The aim of our study was to assess the attitudes of Greek primary care physicians toward treating migraine compared to other common neurological and general medical disorders. Methods: We surveyed 182 primary care physicians with the use of a 5-point questionnaire regarding their preference in treating ten common medical conditions, including migraine, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, upper respiratory tract infections, diabetes mellitus, lower back pain, dizziness, transient ischemic attack, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and fibromyalgia. Results: Overall, with regards to preference to treat, migraine scored very low (3.6 ± 1.0), next to diabetic peripheral neuropathy (3.6 ± 1.0), and third from the bottom to fibromyalgia (3.25 ± 1.06). In contrast, physicians reported a much higher preference to treat hypertension (4.66 ± 0.60) and hyperlipidemia (4.6 ± 1.0). Conclusions: Our results indicate that Greek primary care physicians dislike treating migraines but also other neurological diseases. Topics for further investigation include the reasons for this dislike, any associations with poor patient satisfaction, treatment results, or both.

Relationship between alcohol consumption and control of hypertension among elderly Greeks. The Nemea primary care study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of alcohol intake in relation to blood pressure control in treated subjects and to determine if there is a causative link between alcohol and inadequate control of hypertension. METHODS: Our study population comprised 637 elderly individuals who reside in Nemea and in four other villages located in Corinthia, Peloponnesus, of which 615 were included in the analysis. The average age was 73.5±6.15 years. A special epidemiological questionnaire was completed by each participant and the blood pressure (BP) was measured according to a predefined protocol. Odds ratios were calculated and adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of hypertension was 69.1%, 70.7% in men and 67.0% in women. In total, 11% of the hypertensives were not aware of having hypertension. Of those who were aware of having hypertension 91.0% were being treated. Among treated hypertensives 49.1% had systolic BP<140 mmHg and diastolic BP<90 mmHg. Only heavy drinking (>300 g/week) was found to be related with hypertension control. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that the level of control among the elderly, in a Greek population, is positively associated with alcohol intake only for heavy drinking. The role of alcohol consumption in hypertension in the elderly needs further investigation.