Living With Cluster Headache: A Qualitative Study of Patients' Perspectives

Objective Our aim was to explore the views and experiences of a group of Spanish men suffering from cluster headache (CH). Background CH has considerable effects on patients' quality of life, impairs everyday activities, and can modify lifestyle. This is the first time the experience of patient...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Headache 2016-07, Vol.56 (7), p.1171-1182
Main Authors: Palacios-Ceña, Domingo, Talavera, Blanca, López-Ruiz, Pedro, Gutiérrez-Viedma, Álvaro, Palacios-Ceña, María, Arias, José A., Fernández-de-las-Peñas, César, Cuadrado, María L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
cluster headache
Cluster Headache - psychology
Cluster Headache - therapy
Employment - psychology
Headaches
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Narration
patients
Qualitative Research
Quality of Life
Social Perception
Spain
Studies
Uncertainty
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Objective Our aim was to explore the views and experiences of a group of Spanish men suffering from cluster headache (CH). Background CH has considerable effects on patients' quality of life, impairs everyday activities, and can modify lifestyle. This is the first time the experience of patients with CH is examined in a clinical study using a qualitative, phenomenological approach. Methods We conducted a qualitative phenomenological study exploring how 20 male patients with CH, followed at the Headache Unit of a Spanish hospital, perceived their disease. Data were collected through in‐depth interviews, researchers’ field notes and patients’ personal letters. A systematic text condensation analysis was performed following appropriate guidelines for qualitative research. Results Mean age was 41.15 years (standard deviation, 11.25). Seventeen patients had episodic CH and three patients had chronic CH. Five main themes describing the significance of suffering CH emerged: (a) meaning of disease, (b) experience of attacks, (c) meaning of treatment, (d) healthcare, and (e) social and family interaction. Patients with CH often live in fear and uncertainty because of their condition. Intensity and frequency of attacks, the use of ineffective treatments, skepticism perceived from social and workplace environments and physician unawareness play a significant role. Conclusions Qualitative research offers insight into the way CH patients experience their disease, and may be helpful in establishing a fruitful relationship with these patients.
ISSN:0017-8748
1526-4610
DOI:10.1111/head.12886