Kiel, June 13, 2019. Women are prescribed migraine medication much more often than men. This is shown by a current evaluation of the 2019 health report from the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK). Accordingly, last year almost five times as many women were prescribed specific medications for migraines and headaches – so-called triptans. On average, 25 women per 1,000 insured people were prescribed migraine medications. For men, there was an average of five per 1,000 insured people.

Middle-aged women are particularly often affected 

There are also clear differences when looking at the age groups. The current data from the TK health report shows: middle-aged women between 45 and 54 are particularly often affected. There are an average of 32 migraine patients prescribed triptans for every 1,000 insured people. However, the proportion is significantly lower among those over 60 and under 19. “The double burden of work and family life of the so-called 'sandwich generation' could be an explanation for the frequent prescriptions in middle age,” says Sören Schmidt-Bodenstein, head of the TK in Schleswig-Holstein.  

Migraine app from Kiel works 

Digital applications can help those affected to counteract chronic headaches and migraines in the long term and even reduce the amount of medication they take. The TK migraine app was developed Kiel Pain Clinic The application documents the course of migraines and headaches with active data entry. It reports back aggregated information from the data set and thus supports the patient and the attending physicians in monitoring progress and success as well as adjusting therapy. In addition, the relaxation exercises, coaching and networking of those affected in a nationwide digital self-help community contained in the app provide first aid for acute headaches and migraine attacks.

A current effectiveness study proves the success of the digital application: “The study clearly shows that patients benefit from the support provided by the migraine app. On the one hand, you have fewer headache days per month and, on the other hand, the need to take acute medication for headaches also decreases,” says Prof. Dr. Hartmut Göbel, medical director of the Kiel Pain Clinic.

More than 40 pain experts in SH

The migraine app also helps you find the nearest pain expert. “In Schleswig-Holstein alone, more than 40 pain experts are now taking part in this form of care. The migraine app shows once again how a digital offer can be intelligently linked to local regional care. It offers real added value for affected patients,” says Sören Schmidt-Bodenstein.  

In total, the migraine app has already been downloaded around 167,000 times. It is available for free to install for iOS, Apple Watch and Android.

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