Kiel, June 13, 2019. Women are prescribed migraine medication far more often than men. This is shown by a recent analysis of the 2019 health report from the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) health insurance company. According to the report, almost five times as many women were prescribed specific medications for migraines and headaches – so-called triptans – last year. On average, 25 women per 1,000 insured individuals were prescribed migraine medication. For men, the average was five per 1,000 insured individuals.

Middle-aged women are particularly frequently affected 

There are also significant differences when looking at age groups. Current data from the TK Health Report shows that women in middle age, between 45 and 54, are particularly frequently affected. On average, there are 32 female migraine patients with triptan prescriptions per 1,000 insured individuals in this age group. In contrast, the proportion is significantly lower for those over 60 and under 19. "The double burden of work and family life for the so-called 'sandwich generation' could explain the frequent prescriptions in middle age," says Sören Schmidt-Bodenstein, head of 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 their medication intake. The TK Migraine App was developed by experts from the Kiel Pain Clinic together with scientists and healthcare professionals from TK, as well as self-help groups. The application documents the course of migraines and headaches with active data input. It reports aggregated information from the data set, thus supporting both patients and their doctors in monitoring progress and success, as well as adjusting therapy. In addition, the relaxation exercises, coaching sessions, and networking opportunities for those affected in a nationwide digital self-help community included in the app provide initial relief for acute headaches and migraine attacks.

A recent efficacy study confirms 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, they have fewer headache days per month, and on the other hand, the need to take acute headache medication also decreases,” says Prof. Dr. Hartmut Göbel, Medical Director of the Kiel Pain Clinic.

More than 40 pain experts in Schleswig-Holstein

The migraine app also helps users find the nearest pain specialist. “In Schleswig-Holstein alone, more than 40 pain specialists now participate in this form of care. The migraine app demonstrates once again how a digital service can be intelligently linked to local, regional healthcare. It offers real added value for affected patients,” says Sören Schmidt-Bodenstein. 

The migraine app has been downloaded approximately 167,000 times. It is available for free installation on iOS, Apple Watch, and Android.

More information: https://schmerzklinik.de/2016/10/01/die-migraene-app/