Table 1 Data on hospital-based headache care during the Covid-19 pandemic in Denmark and Norway (N = 29)
From: Hospital-based headache care during the Covid-19 pandemic in Denmark and Norway
All (N = 29) % (n) | Denmark (N = 12) % (n) | Norway (N = 17) % (n) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | |
The situation and duties at work did change | 86 (25) | 14 (4) | 83 (10) | 17 (2) | 88 (15) | 12 (2) |
Our work schedule was changed as a consequence of the pandemic | 41 (12) | 59 (17) | 67 (8) | 33 (4) | 53 (9) | 47 (8) |
We reduced the number of beds at the neurology department during the pandemic | 33 (9) | 67 (18) | 27 (3) | 73 (8) | 38 (6) | 63 (10) |
Fewer patients with acute headache came to the hospital emergency room for assessment than normal | 60 (15) | 40 (10) | 56 (5) | 44 (4) | 63 (10) | 38 (6) |
Have you admitted patients with headache as a primary/debut symptom of Covid-19? | 24 (7) | 76 (22) | 33 (4) | 67 (8) | 18 (3) | 82 (14) |
Fewer patients with severe migraine/status migrainosus were admitted during the pandemic than normal | 68 (17) | 32 (8) | 56 (5) | 44 (4) | 75 (12) | 25 (4) |
Fewer patients with cluster headache attacks were admitted during the pandemic than normal | 54 (14) | 46 (12) | 55 (6) | 45 (5) | 53 (8) | 47 (7) |
We reduced activity at the department’s out-patient clinic during the pandemic | 83 (24) | 17 (5) | 83 (10) | 17 (2) | 82 (14) | 18 (3) |
We maintained the usual out-patient clinic for headache patients (with in-person appointments as the norm) | 17 (5) | 83 (24) | 8 (1) | 92 (11) | 24 (4) | 77 (13) |
We primarily saw patients for follow-ups and not newly referred patients during the pandemic | 25 (7) | 75 (21) | 42 (5) | 58 (7) | 13 (2) | 88 (14) |
We switched to primarily telephone consultations for headache patients | 86 (25) | 14 (4) | 83 (10) | 17 (2) | 88 (15) | 12 (2) |
We began offering video consultations for headache patients | 45 (13) | 55 (16) | 58 (7) | 42 (5) | 35 (6) | 65 (11) |
Did you refrain from using CGRP antibodies during the pandemic? | 9 (2) | 91 (21) | 33 (2) | 67 (4) | 0 | 100 (17) |
Did you switch more patients from botulinum toxin to CGRP antibodies than normal during the pandemic? | 21 (5) | 79 (19) | 0 | 100 (7) | 29 (5) | 71 (12) |
Were you more likely to put patients on CGRP antibodies rather than botulinum toxin as a new treatment for chronic migraine during the pandemic? | 35 (8) | 65 (15) | 17 (1) | 83 (5) | 41 (7) | 59 (10) |
If you normally use greater occipital nerve injections, did you continue to do so during the pandemic? | 60 (12) | 40 (8) | 71 (5) | 29 (2) | 54 (7) | 46 (6) |
Did your Department continue botulinum toxin treatment for chronic migraine during the pandemic? | 36 (9) | 64 (16) | 38 (3) | 68 (5) | 35 (6) | 65 (11) |
Did any of your patients have their treatment aids (O2) revoked or postponed? | 4 (1) | 96 (25) | 0 | 100 (9) | 6 (1) | 94 (16) |
If you were running research projects, were they halted during this period? | 57 (13) | 43 (10) | 50 (4) | 50 (4) | 60 (9) | 40 (6) |
Overall, did headache patients receive the same follow-up as usual during the pandemic? | 38 (11) | 62 (18) | 42 (5) | 58 (7) | 35 (6) | 65 (11) |
The overall standard of care for headache patients decreased during the pandemic | 54 (15) | 46 (13) | 36 (4) | 64 (7) | 65 (11) | 35 (6) |