Referrals in adult patients attending English primary care with headache including migraine.

Migraine is a common condition affecting around 14% of adults in England. Managing migraines creates a significant workload for the National Health Service. This study looked at how often patients are referred from primary care for headaches, including migraines. Researchers analyzed data from over 1 million patients in England between 2012 and 2023. They found that patients with headaches, excluding migraines, were mostly referred to ear, nose, and throat specialists. The rate for these referrals was about 11.76 per 100 person-years. For neurology referrals, the rate was 5.04 per 100 person-years. In contrast, migraine patients were most often referred to general practitioners with extended roles. Understanding these referral patterns can help improve treatment pathways for patients with headaches and migraines in primary care settings. Clinical relevance: This research highlights the need for improved referral processes in managing migraine patients effectively.