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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Impact of CH
        
(Message started by: Bob_Johnson on Aug 4^th, 2007, 11:33am)

Title: Impact of CH
Post by Bob_Johnson on Aug 4^th, 2007, 11:33am

Might try and use this to argue for increased meds from your insurance provider.
----------------------------

Cephalalgia. 2007 Apr 25; [Epub ahead of print]

Burden of cluster headache.

Jensen R, Lyngberg A, Jensen R.

Danish Headache Centre, Department of Neurology, University of Copenhagen, Glostrup Hospital, Glostrup, Denmark.

The aim was to analyse the socioeconomic burden of cluster headache in patients from a tertiary headache centre. One hundred consecutive patients from the Danish Headache Centre were invited to an interview about the socioeconomic impact of cluster headache. Work absence and use of medical services were compared with a Danish population-based survey. Eighty-five patients participated; 78% reported restrictions in daily living and 13% also outside of cluster periods; 25% reported a major decrease in their ability to participate in social activities, family life and housework. The disease caused lifestyle changes for 96%, most frequently in sleeping habits and avoidance of alcohol. The absence rate among patients was 30%, which was significantly higher than 12% among the general population (P < 0.001). Use of health services due to headache was also higher among the patients (P < 0.001). Cluster headache, although periodic in most cases, has considerable impact on social functions, quality of life and use of healthcare.

PMID: 17459083 [PubMed]

Title: Re: Impact of CH
Post by Ray on Aug 4^th, 2007, 11:54am

Title: Find More Like ThisDisability and quality of life in different primary headaches: results from Italian studies.
Authors: Bussone, G.1 bussone@istituto-besta.it
Usai, S.1
Grazzi, L.1
Rigamonti, A.1
Solari, A.1
D'Amico, D.1
Source: Neurological Sciences; Oct2004 Supplement 3, Vol. 25, ps105-s107, 3p
Document Type: Article
Subject Terms: *HEADACHE
*MIGRAINE
*PATIENTS
*QUALITY of life
*QUESTIONNAIRES
*DISABILITIES
Author-Supplied Keywords: Migraine
Cluster headache
Chronic migraine
Disability
Migraine Disability Assessment Score
Health-related quality of life
Short Form 36
Abstract: Headaches may have a wide range of impact on patients’ lives. We report the results of Italian studies in which disability and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with different primary headaches were evaluated. The Short Form 36 (SF-36) was used to assess HRQOL; the Migraine Disability Assessment Score questionnaire (MIDAS) was used to assess disability in patients with migraine without aura or with chronic migraine. Mean MIDAS total scores were evaluated in migraine without aura and chronic migraine patients. The scores at the eight SF-36 scales were calculated in patients with the three studied headaches, and were compared with Italian normative data (Student’st-test with Bonferroni correction). Primary headaches had a considerable negative impact on patients’ lives, with poor quality of life and decreased ability to function in daily duties. The mean MIDAS total score was 23.4 in 264 patients with migraine without aura, and 79.2 in 150 patients with chronic migraine. Mean SF-36 scores in migraine without aura (68 subjects), chronic migraine (84) and cluster headache (56) were lower than those from the Italian general population, with significant differences for 3 scales in migraine without aura, for 6 in chronic migraine, and for all scales in cluster headache. Our results confirmed a marked personal and social burden in patients with migraine without aura, and also in the less well-studied forms of primary headaches, cluster headache and chronic migraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This seems to point the same way....

Ray

Title: Re: Impact of CH
Post by BMoneeTheMoneeMan on Aug 4^th, 2007, 7:35pm

That is great that studies are being done. I hope the medical community will one day know how difficult living with clusters can be and will put more energy into knowing how to fix it.

Title: Re: Impact of CH
Post by rolo65 on Aug 8^th, 2007, 12:30am

on 08/04/07 at 19:35:47, BMoneeTheMoneeMan wrote:

I hope the medical community will one day know how difficult living with clusters can be and will put more energy into knowing how to fix it.

Good luck on that! There’s too much money to be made on RLS, weak bladders, ED, and toe fungus!

See those people are really hurting, they come out with a new drug for these ailments every six months. Oh and by the way, what would happen to the doc’s portfolio when his Glaxso Smith Kline stock takes a dump because they put the effort into helping .5% of the population by backing the research that would lead to a viable drug to make our CH go away? It's all in the numbers.

We need a JFK kind of commitment to do something because it is so dam necessary. Not because it is profitable. I am also sure Glaxso won't put a dime toward helping!

Rolo.

Title: Re: Impact of CH
Post by totka2 on Aug 8^th, 2007, 5:00am

on 08/04/07 at 11:33:08, Bob_Johnson wrote:

Might try and use this to argue for increased meds from your insurance provider.

Argue??? Our only insurance provider - the National Health Found - pisses on us. :-/ Here was a 50 % rise in Trex's prices this year :'(

Title: Re: Impact of CH
Post by sandie99 on Aug 8^th, 2007, 5:20am

I wish... I don't even have medical insurance anymore thanks to the beast... :(

PF days for us all,
Sanna

Title: Re: Impact of CH
Post by Superirish2005 on Aug 8^th, 2007, 5:32pm

how expensive is your medication without insurance?