Analysis of headache management in Andalusia.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Headache is a frequent reason for consultation between primary care physicians, emergency services physicians, and neurology specialists; however, it is not always well managed. The Andalusian Society of Neurology's Headache Study Group (SANCE) aimed to analyse headache management at different levels of care. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study with data gathered through a retrospective survey in July 2019. Participants completed a series of structured questionnaires on different social and work-related variables from 4 different groups of healthcare professionals (primary care [PC], emergency departments, neurology departments, headache units). RESULTS: A total of 204 healthcare professionals completed the survey: 35 emergency department physicians, 113 PC physicians, 37 general neurologists, and 19 neurologists specialising in headache. Eighty-five percent of PC physicians reported prescribing preventive drugs, which were maintained for at least 6 months (59%), with flunarizine and amitriptyline being the most commonly used. Most patients attended at neurology consultations (65%) are referred by PC physicians, with changes in the headache pattern being the main reason for referral (74%). Healthcare professionals across all levels of care showed great interest in headache and in receiving training in headache management (97% of PC physicians, 100% of emergency services physicians, 100% of general neurologists). CONCLUSIONS: Migraine sparks great interest among healthcare professionals from different levels of care. Our results also reveal a lack of resources for headache management, which is reflected in the long waiting times. Other means of bilateral communication between different levels of care should be explored (eg, e-mail).

OnabotulinumtoxinA in chronic migraine: predictors of response. A prospective multicentre descriptive study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: OnabotulinumtoxinA is a treatment specifically approved for the prophylaxis of chronic migraine in adults. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of OnabotulinumtoxinA in chronic migraine after 1 year of treatment in a real-life setting and to identify clinical predictors of outcome. METHODS: We designed a prospective multicentre study performed in 13 hospitals in Spain. Patients underwent a complete medical history and examination. They were treated with OnabotulinumtoxinA every 12 weeks for 1 year. Data about outcome, adverse events, abortive medication use, emergency room use and disability were collected at 3 and 12 months. RESULTS: A total of 725 subjects completed the study. At 12 months, 79.3% showed >50% reduction in number of headaches per month and 94.9% reported no adverse events. Unilaterality of pain, fewer days of disability per month and milder headache at baseline were correlated with good outcome. Duration of disease <12 months increased the chances of response to treatment with OnabotulinumtoxinA (odds ratio, 1.470; 95% confidence interval, 1.123-2.174; P = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed the effectiveness of treatment with OnabotulinumtoxinA after 1 year of treatment. The chances of a good outcome may be increased by starting treatment in the first 12 months after chronic migraine diagnosis.

[Rapid headache guidelines. Neurology consensus between Neurology (SAN) and Primary Care (SEMERGEN Andalucía). Referral criteria]. / Guía rápida de cefaleas. Consenso entre Neurología (SAN) y Atención Primaria (SEMERGEN Andalucía). Criterios de derivación.

Headache is one of the most frequent reasons for consultation in our health centers, something which should not be surprising if we consider that is one of the most common symptoms experienced by the population. The main concern of the family physician and emergency physician is to reach a correct diagnosis by clinical history and a basic neurological examination and adapted to the time and means at its disposal. In case of diagnostic doubts or suspected secondary headache, the primary care physician or emergency medical have to refer the patient to be studied and/or treated for Neurology services, such referral shall be made with varying degrees of urgency depending on the presence, or not, of symptoms or signs of alarm. A working group consisting of Neurologists of Sociedad Andaluza de Neurología (SAN) to provide services in different hospitals in Andalucía and Family Physicians representatives of the Sociedad Andaluza de Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria (SAMFyC) and the Sociedad Española de Médicos de Atención Primaria (SEMERGEN Andalucía), has developed a Quick Guide headache, which addresses the more practical aspects for the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of patients with headache. We show you in this paper, the chapter that deals the alarm criteria and referral.