Migraine is the most common primary headache [1] , causing significant disability. It is characterized by paroxysmal headache attacks, sometimes associated with nausea, vomiting, phonophobia or photophobia [2] . There are two types of migraine: migraine without aura and migraine with aura, with aura referring to the transient neurological manifestations that precede the migraine attack [3] . Diagnosis is essentially clinical, according to criteria laid down by the International Headache Association (IHS) [1] [4] .

It is a major public health problem, with a global prevalence estimated at 11.6% in 2009 [5] , and an African prevalence of 10.4% [6] . In the Global Burden of Disease Survey, published in 2010, migraine was ranked as the third most common disorder and the seventh leading cause of disability worldwide [7] . In 2015, it was ranked as the third leading cause of disability in people under 50 [8] . This ranking is obviously linked not only to its high prevalence, but also to its considerable socio-economic impact [9] . The World Health Organization (WHO) also ranks it among the twenty most disabling conditions [10] . In the Republic of Congo, although migraine is a frequent reason for neurology consultations, with a prevalence of 11.3% in Brazzaville, there is as yet little data in the literature on the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic profiles of migraine sufferers [11] [12] .

As migraine pathology is under-documented in our context, and does not allow practitioners to have any hindsight on the quality of the follow-up and management of the subjects concerned, we proposed, through this work, to contribute to the state of the art and to the improvement of the management of this condition in the Republic of Congo.

We conducted a door-to-door cross-sectional study from May 1^st to July 1^st 2018 in the city of Brazzaville.

Brazzaville is the political and administrative capital of the Congo. It is located on the right bank of the Congo River, and extends over 30 kilometers. It covers an area of around 11,500 hectares [13] . The city of Brazzaville is bounded to the north by the sub-prefecture of Igné, to the south by the sub-prefecture of Goma Tsé-Tsé, to the east by the Congo River, and to the west by the sub-prefecture of Mayama.

The city of Brazzaville comprises nine (9) arrondissements, subdivided into neighborhoods, zones and blocks. There are 87 districts, 434 zones and 3509 blocks [14] . In 2017, the population of Brazzaville was estimated at 1.838.348 [15] .

The work concerned all the inhabitants of the city of Brazzaville. A door-to-door survey was carried out, targeting headache sufferers. All subjects over 18 years of age who had clearly expressed their consent were included. Subjects with considerable cognitive or physical deficits that prevented them from answering the questionnaire, as well as those who refused to answer the questionnaire or answered only partially, were not taken into account.

Cluster random sampling was used to determine the sample size representative of the study population. Based on the Schwartz formula described below, the sample size was estimated at 864 subjects.

Schwartz formula

N = Z 2 P Q / I 2

with:

N: sample size.

Z: confidence level according to normal distribution (Z = 1.96 for a 95% confidence level).

P: the proportion of migraine sufferers in the general population in Africa (P = 10%).

Q = 1 − P and I: the 2% margin of error.

To determine the sample size (Y) in each Brazzaville arrondissement, the population of each arrondissement was weighted according to the percentage (X) of the population of each arrondissement in relation to the population of the city of Brazzaville. X = P arrondissement × 100/P Brazzaville

Y = X × P estimated/100 (P estimated = 864).

The survey was based on a questionnaire designed by us. The form explored socio-demographic characteristics, IHS diagnostic criteria for migraine, treatments taken during attacks and medical follow-up. The degree of disability due to migraine was determined using the MIDAS (Migraine Disability Assessment Scale) questionnaire [16] [17] .

The survey was carried out by students at the end of their training in general medicine. The interviewers went door-to-door in all the districts of Brazzaville to fill in the questionnaire.

For each subject interviewed, questioning about headaches began with the question: “Do you often suffer from headaches?” if yes, the interview continued with the diagnostic criteria for migraine, if no, the interview ended.

The HIT-6 scale and MIDAS score were completed for all chronic headache sufferers.

Confirmatory diagnosis of migraine cases was made by two neurologists in accordance with ICHD 3 criteria.

Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0 for MAC. Numbers were compared using Pearson’s Chi-2 test, and means were compared using Student’s t-test.

Of the 1017 subjects interviewed in this study, 115 (39.9%) had migraine, including 73 women (63.47%) and 42 men (36.52%). The sex ratio was 0.57.

In the group of migraine sufferers, the number of cases of definite migraine was 61 (53%) and that of probable migraine 54 (47%).

The mean age at onset of migraine was 26.1 ± 10.3 years for all migraine sufferers. The median duration of the disease was 6.1 years, with an interquartile range of 3.3 to 10.9 years.

Subjects with definite migraine had a mean age at onset of 24.8 ± 9.8 years. This compares with 27.7 ± 10.8 years for probable migraine sufferers. The median values for length of illness were 7.6 and 5.3 years, respectively for definite and probable migraine sufferers.

Seventy (60.9%) of the migraine sufferers had a relative suffering from headaches.

For 81 migraine sufferers (70.43%), stress was the trigger for the migraine attack (Figure 1). The frequency of attacks was weekly and monthly in 30 (26.1%) and 19 (16.5%) cases respectively. The location of the migraine was unilateral in 38% of cases and tilted in 24.3%. The intensity of the attack was described as moderate and severe in 41.7% and 57.4% of subjects respectively. Phonophobia/photophobia accompanied the migraine in 65.2% of cases (Table 1).

49 of the migraine sufferers (42.6%) had an aura. Of these, 38 (77.55%) had ophthalmic aura and 8 (16.33%) had multiple aura (Figure 2).

The clinical characteristics of patients according to certain and probable migraine types are presented in Table 2. The clinical characteristics of patients according to the presence of aura are presented in Table 3.

The MIDAS score values for characterizing seizure-related disability are shown in Table 4.

One hundred and eight subjects were receiving treatment. Of these, 106 (98.1%) were taking medication. Eleven (10.2%) had received a medical prescription, and ninety-seven (89.8%) were self-medicating. Five and three subjects were under the care of a general practitioner and a neurologist respectively. The different groups of drugs used in seizure management are shown in Table 5.

On the basis of the ICHD-3 criteria, 115 of the 1017 people surveyed were diagnosed as suffering from migraine. The majority were women (63.5% women, 36.5% men). The female predominance of migraine has been extensively described in the literature [3] [6] [18] [19] [20] . It may be explained by hormonal variations during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy, and by a genetic predisposition [21] .

The mean age at disease onset was 26.1 ± 10.3 years. This result is in line with the literature. Indeed, subjects in their twenties and thirties are the most affected, with peak frequency between the ages of 30 and 39 [22] [23] .

Stress was the most frequent trigger (81%), followed by hormonal factors (67%). The predominance of psychological triggers, including stress, is mentioned in several studies. In a study in Senegal, psychological factors were incriminated in 76% of subjects. Climatic and hormonal factors followed in 63% and 21% of cases respectively [24] . Similarly, in France, a study associated the onset of migraines with fear, anxiety and anger in 55.6%, 57.9% and 55.3% of people respectively. Hormonal factors affected 29.9% of women [25] .

The relationship between a family history of migraine and its onset has been proven in numerous studies. McGregor, for example, states that the risk of a migraine sufferer having a parent with migraine is 40%. If both parents are affected, the risk is 75% [26] . Another author estimates that this risk is multiplied by 1.9 for migraine without aura and by 4 for migraine with aura [27] . In line with these observations, 60.9% of the migraine sufferers we interviewed had a first-degree relative with migraine.

Classically, migraine without aura is more frequent than migraine with aura [3] [16] [23] . The same observation was made in our study. There were 57.4% cases of migraine without aura and 42.6% with aura. In the 49 subjects who had migraine with aura, ophthalmic aura was the predominant type (40% of all migraineurs and). These results are superimposed on those of Streel et al. in Belgium, who reported a preeminence of visual manifestations of migraine aura, with an estimated frequency of 40.8% in their series [28] . Among the symptoms accompanying the attack, the most frequent were phonophotophobia and vomiting, respectively 62.5% and 04.3% of cases. In a study carried out in PIKINE, Senegal, photophobia and phonophobia were the most frequent accompanying signs, in 58% and 70% of cases respectively [24] . Similar results have been reported in other studies [25] [29] [30] .

Disability due to the disease, as assessed by the MIDAS score, also reflects the severity of the attacks. In the population of migraine sufferers we surveyed, 35% were classified as MIDAS grade III to IV and 80% as grade I to II. These results are close to those reported in an international survey, the Global Migraine and Zolmitriptan Evaluation (MAZE). According to this study, the percentages of grade III and IV migraine sufferers were 47% in England and 48% in Germany [31] .

One hundred and six of the 115 migraine sufferers were taking medication to treat their condition. Of these, only 8 (6.9% of migraine sufferers) had received a medical prescription, three of whom were under the care of a neurologist. The common practice of self-medication among migraine sufferers has been reported in several studies [7] [32] [33] .

In the Congo, this practice is said to be partly facilitated by the widespread availability of street medicines. What’s more, according to a French study, the fact that patients consider migraine not to be a serious illness justifies the absence of recourse to a doctor [25] . The most commonly used medications were first-line analgesics (65.7%) and anti-inflammatories (62.03%). The use of triptans was very low, with only one case reported. A similar finding was made in an international study, which reported 3% to 19% of migraine sufferers followed up by a doctor who had a triptan-based treatment [31] . It should be noted that none of the migraine sufferers in our study was taking an ergot derivative.

Optimal monitoring of migraine medication requires the use of a migraine diary. Among other things, this tool can be used to record the total number of doses of medication taken per month, in order to identify non-compliance or overuse that could lead to chronic headaches [3] . It also helps to assess treatment efficacy. In our study, only two patients used a migraine diary. These patients were under the care of a neurologist. The low number of neurologists in Brazzaville, which has an estimated population of 1,838,348 inhabitants and a staff of 5 neurologists, 3 of whom share a public-private practice, may explain this.

This study, carried out in the general population, shows that migraine is a frequent pathology in Brazzaville, affecting mainly women at an early age, and mostly without any warning aura.

Self-medication and lack of medical follow-up were the rule. First-line analgesics and NSAIDs were the mainstay of treatment, often purchased on the street. These facts underline the need to set up mass information programs on migraine pathology and the importance of medical follow-up, in order to contribute to efficient management.

The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Boubayi, M.L.H.D., Diatewa, J., Bandzouzi, P.E.G.S., Mpandzou, G.A., Ikora, H.S.O., Aloba, K.L.O. and Ossou-Nguiet, P.M. (2024) Clinical and Therapeutic Aspects of Migraine in Brazzaville. World Journal of Neuroscience, 14, 56-71. https://doi.org/10.4236/wjns.2024.141006

SURVEY FORM

Telephone number:

Survey date: /....../....../ /......./......../ /......../......./......./ Survey location: .................. Inclusion number: ...........

Ÿ SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC IDENTIFICATION:

1) Age in years:

2) Sex: F M

3) Profession:

(1-Public servant) (2-Private sector employee) (3-Informal activities) (4-Pupil/student) (5-No job) (6-Retired)

4) Working hours per day:

5) Overtime:

6) Level of education:

1 (1-Primary) (2-Secondary) (3-Higher) (4-No schooling)

7) Marital status:

(1-Married) (2-Single) (3-Couple) (4-Widowed) (5-Divorced)

8) Number of spouses:

9) Number of children:

10) Residence: Are you an owner or a tenant?

11) Socio-economic level:

Very low 3 - 4 High 9 - 10

Low 5 - 6 Very high 11 - 12

Medium 7 - 8

12) Do you use: Alcohol Tobacco Other drugs

13) Are there any headache sufferers in your family? Yes No

14) Do you often suffer from headaches? Yes No

If yes:

15) How long have you suffered from headaches? Day Week Month Year If year, what is the estimated age of onset?…

Ÿ CHARACTERISTICS OF CEPHALEA

1) Where is your pain located? One side The whole head One side then the other

2) What does your pain feel like? It hits It burns It squeezes It weighs It crushes Like a shock Like a stab wound

3) When you feel pain, how would you rate its intensity (VAS)? Slight Moderate Severe Very severe

4) How does your headache evolve? Per attack Ongoing

5) If an attack, does it last between 4 and 72 hours? Yes No

6) If you have an attack, how often do you have them? Daily Weekly Monthly Irregular

7) Is your headache aggravated by routine physical activities (walking, climbing stairs) Yes No

8) Is your headache accompanied by: The urge to vomit Vomiting Gene to light Gene to noise

9) Have you had at least five seizures meeting criteria 5 and 8? Yes No

10) Is your headache preceded by or accompanied by (aura):

Visual disturbances: Bright spots Flashes Broken lines

Visual blur Blind zone Visual hallucinations/distortion

Sensory or motor disorders: tingling, numbness, weakness of a limb Yes No

Balance disorders, vertigo, loss of consciousness: Yes No

11) At least one aura symptom develops progressively over ≥5 minutes and/or the various aura symptoms occur successively

Yes No

12) Duration of each aura symptom 5 - 60 minutes: Yes No

13) At least one aura symptom is unilateral: Yes No

14) Aura accompanied or followed within 60 minutes by headache

Yes No

15) Factors triggering seizures:

Stress:

Hormonal factors: rule Oral contraception

Dietary factors: alcohol chocolate other.....................

-Sensory factors: Flashing light Striped décor Noise Odor

Other: sleeping too long hypoglycemia Heat

16) Treatment of headache: ............................................................

17) Medical follow-up: General practitioner Specialist

18) Use of a migraine diary: Yes No

Ÿ EVALUATION OF LOSS OF PRODUCTIVITY (MIDAS)

Ÿ HIT-6 scale

:mild, ++ moderate, +++ severe, CT.