Illness perception of migraineurs from the general population

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to describe the cognitive representations of migraine through the migraineurs’ discourse.

Method: A sample of subjects taken at random from a representative sample of the French general population is interviewed about their representations of migraine. A content analysis is performed using the ALCESTE software.

Results: The population is composed of 51 subjects. The analysis shows that throughout the corpus, the word ‘migraine’ does not appear spontaneously. It seems that migraine as a chronic disease that may require long-term treatment is not well understood; people have rather a ‘successive crises’ representation of illness. In reaction to the crises, it is surprising not to find any clue evoking the field of catastrophsising. However, the cognitive coping strategy of resignation is to be found. The favourite interlocutor to start therapeutic education of the patient is the doctor since subjects say that they do not expect anything of the kind from the media.

Conclusion: The results allow us to understand better why migraineurs do not consult for their illness and do not follow recommendations concerning treatments utilisation. The results allow to propose interventions that include patient education taking into account patients’ cognitive representations of their illness.

Keywords:

• illness perception
• migraine
• analysis of discourse
• qualitative method

Acknowledgements

Françoise Radat thanks Lilly France, GlaxoSmith Kline, Astra Zeneca, UPSA and Pfizer. Michel Lantéri-Minet thanks Allergan, Admirall SAS, Astra Zeneca, GlaxoSmith Kline, Grunenthal, Elli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic, Menarini, Merck, Pierre Fabre, Pfizer, Sanofi Aventis, UCB and Zambon. Christian Lucas thanks Allergan, Almirall, Astra Zeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bouchara Recordati, GSK, Ménarini, MSD, Pfizer, Sanofi-Synthelabo and Servier. Hélène Massiou thanks Allergan, Almirall Prodesfarma, AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen Cilag, Menarini, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Pierre Fabre and Schwarz Pharma. This study has been granted by GlaxoSmithKline laboratory, of which Fatima Nachit-Ouinekh and Abdelkader El Hasnaoui are both employees.