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Refractory Migraine – A Review
Author(s) -
Schulman Elliott
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
headache: the journal of head and face pain
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.14
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1526-4610
pISSN - 0017-8748
DOI - 10.1111/head.12047
Subject(s) - migraine , medicine , epidemiology , refractory (planetary science) , quality of life (healthcare) , pathophysiology , intensive care medicine , psychiatry , nursing , astrobiology , physics
R efractory migraine has long been a challenge to all headache specialists. This subgroup of migraine patients experience disability and impaired quality of life, despite optimal treatment. This article reviews the proposed definitions and epidemiology of refractory migraine, as well as the pathophysiology that may contribute to the genesis of this disorder. Aspects of treatment, including pharmacological, complementary/adjunct, and invasive approaches, are reviewed. Comorbid factors, medication overuse, potential pitfalls to treatment, and areas for future investigation are highlighted.