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Albilali A, Al-Hashel J, Elchami Z, Al Rukn S, Al Madani AB, AlTunaiji M, Al Ali J, Fathy M, Joury J. Unmet Needs of Patients Living with Migraine in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries. Pain Ther 2024; 13:201-210. [PMID: 38280147 DOI: 10.1007/s40122-024-00576-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The scale of migraine and its impact on the lives of patients in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries may be underestimated by healthcare professionals and the public and unmet needs in the provision of migraine medical care may exist. This article reports the key outcomes from a meeting of migraine specialists and their patients organised by the Emirates Neurology Society to learn more about the patient diagnosis and treatment journey and the extent to which migraine affects daily life. Patient stories indicate that the burden of migraine is underestimated, migraine is not generally recognised as a disease, delayed and incorrect diagnoses are common, and that achieving symptom control is often more a question of good luck rather than good management. Disease awareness campaigns are recommended to elevate societal understanding of migraine and reduce stigma toward patients affected by migraine. Recommendations for an improved healthcare system experience for patients affected by migraine include education initiatives targeting patients and physicians as well as initiatives to address gaps in the diagnosis and treatment of migraine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulrazaq Albilali
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jasem Al-Hashel
- Department of Neurology, Ibn Sina Hospital, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Ziad Elchami
- Advanced Neuro-Musculoskeletal Care Center, Dr Samir Abbas Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Suhail Al Rukn
- Department of Neurology, Rashid Hospital, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Abu Baker Al Madani
- Department of Neurology, Rashid Hospital, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | | | | | - Mohamed Fathy
- Pfizer Gulf FZ LLC, Atlas Building, Dubai Media City, P.O. Box 502749, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jean Joury
- Pfizer Gulf FZ LLC, Atlas Building, Dubai Media City, P.O. Box 502749, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
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