High levels of disability and low quality of life (QOL) were reported among children and adolescents with migraine utilizing infusion treatment, a new study found. Patients aged 6-19 years treated in an outpatient headache infusion center were included. A subset of these patients completed a behavioral health evaluation (treatment group) and were compared with a control group of similar age and gender to patients not seeking infusion treatment. Among the findings:
- 284 patients were included in the study (n=227 treatment group; n=57 controls).
- There was a promising difference in the Pediatric Pain Coping Inventory (PPCI) Distraction subscale, with a mean rank score of 61.90 for the treatment group vs 50.21 for the control group.
- There was a statistically significant difference on the Social Support subscale, with a mean rank score of 65.92 for the treatment group vs 46.26 for the control group.
- Patient-reported data also revealed a significantly higher level of disability among those seeking infusion treatment compared to the non-infusion group.
Woods K, et al. Psychosocial and demographic characteristics of children and adolescents with headache presenting for treatment in a headache infusion center. Headache. 2019;59(6):858-868. doi: 10.1111/head.13537.