To explore the burden of chronic migraine through the lived experience of multi-ethnic Asian patients and identify gaps in migraine awareness, service provision, and clinical management.
Approach:
Study Design: Qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews with patients diagnosed with chronic migraine.
Participants: 17 patients recruited from a Neurology outpatient clinic in Singapore, selected based on age, gender, race, employment, and years of diagnosis.
Data Collection: Face-to-face interviews were conducted, and data were transcribed verbatim. Participants completed various validated scales to assess migraine impact.
Data Analysis: Inductive thematic analysis was performed to identify key themes from the interviews.
Key Findings:
Four main themes were identified: 1) Living with migraine long-term; 2) Dealing with stigma; 3) Navigating the healthcare journey; 4) Regaining agency and validation.
Participants reported physical, psychosocial, and financial consequences that disrupted their daily roles and sense of self.
Stigma and the invisibility of chronic migraine compounded the burden experienced by participants.
Participants sought to regain agency through lifestyle modifications, complementary therapies, and peer support despite limited treatment options.
Interpretation:
The study provides insights into the burden of chronic migraine on multi-ethnic Asian patients and highlights the need for culturally sensitive and patient-centered approaches.
Limitations:
Small sample size of 17 participants may limit generalizability.
Study conducted in a single location (Singapore) may not reflect experiences in other regions.
Conclusion:
This study highlights the importance of validating patients' experiences and addressing stigma while integrating psychosocial and medical needs in chronic migraine management.
