The impact of migraine on work, family, and leisure among young women – a multinational study

Abstract

Objective: To assess the impact of migraine on work, family, and leisure among young women who were employed full or part time, or as a full-time student. Research design and methods: This cross-sectional telephone survey with 6-month recall was conducted in Israel and eight European countries (Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and The Netherlands). Random-digit dialing was used to identify study participants: women 18–35 years of age with migraine, who used medication to treat their migraine, and who were employed or full-time students. Results: Of 1810 participants, 42% self-reported having a physician diagnosis of migraine. During the prior 6 months, 46% of participants missed at least 1 day of work or school and 74% were prevented from functioning fully at work or school because of migraine. Mean work/school absenteeism due to migraine was 1.9 days over 6 months (range, 0.8 days in Sweden to 2.8 days in Norway). Over half of participants reported one or more occurrences of being unable to spend time with family or friends (62%) or being unable to enjoy recreational or leisure activities (67%) because of migraine. The percentage of study participants using triptans was lowest in southern Europe and highest in the Nordic countries, ranging from 1% in Greece to 50% in Sweden. Country, age, marital status, physician diagnosis of migraine, and number of migraines or severe headaches in the prior year were independent predictors of the mean number of days of migraine-related work loss. Migraine-related work loss was lowest in Sweden and greatest in Greece, Israel, and The Netherlands. Higher work loss was recorded for those 18–24 years of age; those who were separated, widowed, or divorced; those with migraine diagnosed by a physician; and those with more frequent migraines or severe headaches (≥ 24/year). The 6-month recall period used when estimating patient-reported work loss, and identifying participants with migraine based on self-reported migraine or severe headache, were the most important limitations of the study. Conclusions: We found substantial migraine-related impairment of productivity at work and school as well as of family and leisure time among young women in Israel and eight European countries.