Migraine ‘under-recognised and undertreated’

A major US research work American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention Study (published in the Journal of Neurology on Migraine) has shown that migraine occurrence has remained stable over the past 15 years but that this highly prevalent disorder results in significant and frequently under-recognised and undertreated disability.

About one quarter of respondents met criteria for preventive treatment, an additional 13% met criteria for the consideration of preventive treatment in the management of their migraines, and an additional 12.4% reported coincident use of medications that could be considered preventive.

Prevalence was highest in those aged 30 to 39 years, with the impact of migraine seen during childbearing and critical wage earning/career years.

This study confirmed the inverse relationship between migraine and income and over half reported one to four headaches per month, severe impairment, or the need for bed rest.

The report concluded that when considering all of these factors it was clear that the economic and personal burden of migraine is substantial. The fact that patients may be undertreated compounded the problem.