A study sponsored by pharmaceuticals company Allergan PLC (NYSE:AGN) has revealed gender differences in the treatment of migraine, often thought of as a woman’s ailment.
New data presented at the American Headache Society (AHS) annual scientific meeting reveals differences between the way men and women react to migraines, suggesting underlying disparities in headache characteristics and progression.
“The Chronic Migraine Epidemiology and Outcomes (CaMEO) Study” explored the causes and burden of chronic migraine and episodic migraine; the former is a neurological condition characterized by 15 or more headache days per month, with headaches lasting four hours a day or longer, and at least eight of those headache days being associated with migraine, while episodic migraine is defined as less than 15 headache days per month.
The study suggested that men are more likely to suffer in silence rather than treatment for migraine, because of the erroneous perception that only women suffer from it.
“Despite gender differences in attack features, these conditions are disabling in men. Chronic Migraine, in particular, has been found to [have an] impact [on] daily life inside and outside the home," said Dr Richard Lipton.
"Men need to know that there are treatments available and it's okay to ask for help," Dr Lipton said.
Funding for the Chronic Migraine Epidemiology and Outcomes (CaMEO) study was provided by Allergan.