Inhaled Oxygen and Cluster Headache Sufferers in the United States: Use, Efficacy and Economics: Results From the United States Cluster Headache Survey

Abstract

Oxygen is underutilized by CH patients living in the United States. Current recommended oxygen treatment regime is not meeting the needs of many CH patients. Prescribed oxygen flow rates are too low for efficacy. Oxygen can be expensive and very difficult to obtain. Physicians need to be better educated on the use of inhaled oxygen for CH.

Female cluster headache in the United States of America: What are the gender differences?

“…In regard to inhaled oxygen therapy about the same percentage of female and male CH patients stated that oxygen was an effective therapy 72% vs. 70% (NS). Female CH patients however seem to respond slower to oxygen than men, as only 11% of the female CH patients had complete relief of a CH on oxygen after 10 min or less of treatment vs. 19% of male CH patients surveyed and this was a statistically significant difference (p b .05) [2]. These results may in some manner have reflected oxygen flow rates utilized as 51% of women treated with oxygen flow rates of 7 to 10 liters per minute versus 45% of men who treated at 13 liters per minute or higher.…”

Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Patterns Among Patients Diagnosed With Cluster Headache in U.S. Healthcare Claims Data

“…High‐flow oxygen claims for abortive/acute treatment were only found in <20% of CH patients. Despite the fact that high‐flow oxygen is considered one of the most effective, safe, and well‐tolerated treatments for CH, a survey study reported that one‐third of patients had not tried this approach . Barriers to oxygen use among patients with CH are in need of further research.…”

High-Flow Oxygen: A Gladly Received Fresh Look at an Old but Effective Abortive Treatment for Cluster Headache

“…Therefore, it has not been surprising to come across medical insurance companies not wanting to pay for oxygen for patients with cluster headache or to hear that some physicians are not willing to prescribe oxygen for this disorder. In Rozen and Fishman's [6] recently published United States Cluster Headache Survey, 12% of physicians refused to prescribe oxygen, half of them stating they did not believe oxygen was an effective treatment for cluster headache. Sixteen percent of cluster headache patients stated that oxygen was unaffordable, whereas 12% were getting welder grade oxygen because of costs of medical grade oxygen, and this form of oxygen can be potentially dangerous [6].…”

“…In Rozen and Fishman's [6] recently published United States Cluster Headache Survey, 12% of physicians refused to prescribe oxygen, half of them stating they did not believe oxygen was an effective treatment for cluster headache. Sixteen percent of cluster headache patients stated that oxygen was unaffordable, whereas 12% were getting welder grade oxygen because of costs of medical grade oxygen, and this form of oxygen can be potentially dangerous [6]. Cohen et al's study should help promote the acceptance of oxygen therapy for cluster headache by medical insurance companies.…”