Impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on patients with migraine: a web-based survey study

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Abstract

Background

Since the declaration COVID-19 as a pandemic, healthcare systems around the world have faced a huge challenge in managing patients with chronic diseases. Patients with migraine were specifically vulnerable to inadequate medical care. We aimed to investigate the “real-world” impact of COVID-19 pandemic on migraine patients, and to identify risk factors for poor outcome.

Methods

We administered an online, self-reported survey that included demographic, migraine-related, COVID-19-specific and overall psychosocial variables between July 15 and July 30, 2020. We recruited a sample of patients with migraine from headache clinic registry and via social media to complete an anonymous survey. Outcomes included demographic variables, change in migraine frequency and severity during the lockdown period, communication with treating physician, compliance to migraine treatment, difficulty in getting medications, medication overuse, symptoms of anxiety and/or depression, sleep and eating habits disturbance, screen time exposure, work during pandemic, use of traditional medicine, effect of Botox injection cancellation, and overall worries and concerns during pandemic.

Results

A total of 1018 patients completed the survey. Of the respondents, 859 (84.3%) were females; 733 (71.9%) were aged 20 to 40 years, 630 (61.8%) were married, and 466 (45.7%) reported working during the pandemic.

In comparison to pre-pandemic period, 607 respondents (59.6%) reported increase in migraine frequency, 163 (16%) reported decrease in frequency, and 105 (10.3%) transformed to chronic migraine. Severity was reported to increase by 653 (64.1%) respondents. The majority of respondents; 626 (61.5%) did not communicate with their neurologists, 477 (46.9%) reported compliance to treatment, and 597 (58.7%) reported overuse of analgesics. Botox injections cancellation had a negative impact on 150 respondents (66.1%) from those receiving it. Forty-one respondents (4%) were infected with COVID-19; 26 (63.4%) reported worsening of their headaches amid infection period. Sleep disturbance was reported by 794 (78.1%) of respondents, and 809 (79.5%) reported having symptoms of anxiety and/or depression.

Conclusions and relevance

COVID-19 pandemic had an overall negative impact on patients with migraine. Several risk factors for poor outcome were identified. Long-term strategies should be validated and implemented to deliver quality care for patients with migraine, with emphasis on psychosocial well-being.

Related collections

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Generalized anxiety disorder, depressive symptoms and sleep quality during COVID-19 outbreak in China: a web-based cross-sectional survey

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Highlights • The COVID-19 outbreak significantly affects the mental health of Chinese public • During the outbreak, young people had a higher risk of anxiety than older people • Spending too much time thinking about the outbreak is harmful to mental health • Healthcare workers were at high risk for poor sleep

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The Mental Health Consequences of COVID-19 and Physical Distancing: The Need for Prevention and Early Intervention

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A Nationwide Survey of Psychological Distress among Italian People during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Immediate Psychological Responses and Associated Factors

Cristina Mazza, Eleonora Ricci, Sílvia Biondi … (2020)

The uncontrolled spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has called for unprecedented measures, to the extent that the Italian government has imposed a quarantine on the entire country. Quarantine has a huge impact and can cause considerable psychological strain. The present study aims to establish the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms and identify risk and protective factors for psychological distress in the general population. An online survey was administered from 18–22 March 2020 to 2766 participants. Multivariate ordinal logistic regression models were constructed to examine the associations between sociodemographic variables; personality traits; depression, anxiety, and stress. Female gender, negative affect, and detachment were associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Having an acquaintance infected was associated with increased levels of both depression and stress, whereas a history of stressful situations and medical problems was associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety. Finally, those with a family member infected and young person who had to work outside their domicile presented higher levels of anxiety and stress, respectively. This epidemiological picture is an important benchmark for identifying persons at greater risk of suffering from psychological distress and the results are useful for tailoring psychological interventions targeting the post-traumatic nature of the distress.

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Author and article information

Contributors

Jasem Y. Al-Hashel: jasemkumsa@hotmail.com

Ismail Ibrahim Ismail:

ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9788-7044

dr.ismail.ibrahim2012@gmail.com

Journal

Journal ID (nlm-ta): J Headache Pain

Journal ID (iso-abbrev): J Headache Pain

Title: The Journal of Headache and Pain

Publisher: Springer Milan (Milan )

ISSN (Print): 1129-2369

ISSN (Electronic): 1129-2377

Publication date (Electronic): 24 September 2020

Publication date PMC-release: 24 September 2020

Publication date Collection: 2020

Volume: 21

Issue: 1

Electronic Location Identifier: 115

Affiliations

[1 ]GRID grid.414506.2, ISNI 0000 0004 0637 234X, Department of Neurology, , Ibn Sina Hospital, ; Sabah Medical Region, Kuwait

[2 ]GRID grid.411196.a, ISNI 0000 0001 1240 3921, Department of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, , Kuwait University, ; Jabriya, Kuwait

Author information

Ismail Ibrahim Ismail http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9788-7044

Article

Publisher ID: 1183

DOI: 10.1186/s10194-020-01183-6

PMC ID: 7513457

PubMed ID: 32972360

SO-VID: 95fc649e-507c-49d6-9f84-8cd5f77e24af

License:

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