A SURVEY OF GREEK NEUROLOGISTS ON THE LIKEABILITY OF HEADACHES AND OTHER COMMON NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND THE FAMILIARITY TO TREAT THEM.

Abstract

Background. We sought to determine the degree of likeability and familiarity of board-certified Greek neurologists to treat migraine, cluster headache, trigeminal neuralgia and chronic daily headache, compared to other frequent neurological disorders and symptoms, as well as to assess the prevalence of headache disorders on themselves.

Methods. We surveyed 180 neurologists regarding their preference in treating headaches and other common neurological conditions. Their likeability and familiarity were evaluated based on the responses on a five-point Likert scale (ranging from 1, strongly disagree to 5, strongly agree) to two core statements: i) “I like to treat patients with this specific neurological disease/symptom” and ii) “I believe that I have a good level of familiarity/experience to treat patients with this specific disease/symptom”. In addition, we also recorded the personal headache history of participants and their demographic data.

Results. The mean age of participants was 48.2 years and the average time since board certification was 14 years. The respondents preferred to treat migraine (mean=4.2) and expressed a good level of familiarity/experience for it (mean=4.4) similar to Parkinson's disease (mean=4.2 for likeability and 4.1 for familiarity), trigeminal neuralgia (4.1 and 4.3, respectively) and stroke (4.1 and 4.2 respectively). Sleep disorders and obstructive sleep apnea were less liked (mean=3.1) and were ranked low in familiarity (mean= 3.2). The respondents' lifetime prevalence of migraine was 35%, and both those with and without migraines had comparable preferences for treating migraineurs.

Conclusions. Greek neurologists like to treat migraine, trigeminal neuralgia, stroke and PD, while they like much less to manage patients with sleep disorders.