P041 | WHO TAKES CARE OF PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM MIGRAINE? THE CAREGIVER’S IDENTIKIT STUDY. A MI-DEAR SUB-ANALYSIS
L. Fofi1, C. Altamura1|2, L. D'Onofrio1, C. Aurilia3, E. Cresta4, A. Onofri5, A. Montisano6, M. Silvestro7, V. Favoni8, G. Viticchi9, M. Marcosano1, G. Egeo3, M. Bartolini9, M. Peresson10, M. Cepparulo11, A. Russo7, S. Cevoli8, R. Rao4|12, L. Grazzi6, S. Sacco5, F. Vernieri1|2 | 1Department of Medicine and Surgery, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Italy; 2Neurosonology and Headache Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy; 3Headache and Pain Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Italy; 4Department of Frailty and Care, Neurology Unit, Headache Center, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy; 5Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy; 6Headache Center, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy; 7Inter-departmental Program of Headache Medicine and Primary Pain Syndromes, Department of Medical, Surgical, Neurological, Metabolic and Aging Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy; 8Programma cefalee e algie facciali, IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Italy; 9Neurological Clinic, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy; 10Headache Unit, San Pietro Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Rome, Italy; 11Teva Italia Srl, Milan, Italy; 12Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences (DSCS), University of Brescia, Italy
Abstract
Background. Migraine represents one of the leading causes of health loss globally, impacting on patients and family members. Despite its clinical relevance, the specific impact of migraine on informal caregivers remains poorly investigated in the literature. This study aimed to investigate the socio-demographic and occupational profiles of migraine caregivers, identify their specific characteristics, and evaluate the factors influencing their burden.
Methods. We conducted a multicenter Italian cross-sectional sub-analysis utilizing data from the MI-DEAR database. Caregiver’s detailed data (demographic characteristics, comorbidities and specific work activities) and the Relatives Stress Scale (RSS) were systematically collected. The geographic location of the headache centers was also evaluated.
Results. 154 caregivers of patients with migraine (F 64%, mean age 48.1 yrs +SD12.2) were enrolled. Most caregivers reported being employed full-time (71%), 9% were employed part-time, the remaining 12% comprised non-working individuals. The most represented professional categories were clerical support workers (20% total: 11% male, 9% female), technicians and associate professionals (17% total: 12% male, 5% female), and specialized professionals (15% total: 8% male, 7% female). RSS score was not influenced by the type of work (p =0.506), and no significant difference emerged between working and non-working caregivers (p = 0.712). Caregivers’ RSS scores remained consistent regardless of job-related responsibility level (High vs Low p = 0.506), significantly higher in caregivers of migraine patients attending a headache center in major metropolitan areas (p = 0.015).
Conclusions. Our findings characterize the common migraine caregiver profile as predominantly a middle-aged male employed in professional or high-responsibility administrative roles with a higher burden in those living in metropolitan areas, which could be crucial features for further psychosocial interventions.
The MIDEAR study group.
Methods. We conducted a multicenter Italian cross-sectional sub-analysis utilizing data from the MI-DEAR database. Caregiver’s detailed data (demographic characteristics, comorbidities and specific work activities) and the Relatives Stress Scale (RSS) were systematically collected. The geographic location of the headache centers was also evaluated.
Results. 154 caregivers of patients with migraine (F 64%, mean age 48.1 yrs +SD12.2) were enrolled. Most caregivers reported being employed full-time (71%), 9% were employed part-time, the remaining 12% comprised non-working individuals. The most represented professional categories were clerical support workers (20% total: 11% male, 9% female), technicians and associate professionals (17% total: 12% male, 5% female), and specialized professionals (15% total: 8% male, 7% female). RSS score was not influenced by the type of work (p =0.506), and no significant difference emerged between working and non-working caregivers (p = 0.712). Caregivers’ RSS scores remained consistent regardless of job-related responsibility level (High vs Low p = 0.506), significantly higher in caregivers of migraine patients attending a headache center in major metropolitan areas (p = 0.015).
Conclusions. Our findings characterize the common migraine caregiver profile as predominantly a middle-aged male employed in professional or high-responsibility administrative roles with a higher burden in those living in metropolitan areas, which could be crucial features for further psychosocial interventions.
The MIDEAR study group.
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