Migraine Prevalence, Treatment and Impact: The Canadian Women and Migraine Study

Abstract

The prevalence of migraine headache varies somewhat across geographic regions. The last Canadian population-based study of migraine was in 1994. We report the findings of the Canadian Women and Migraine Survey. In addition to reporting migraine prevalence in Canadian women, the survey identified current consultation and treatment practices of women with migraine, and the psychological burden of migraine. The survey was conducted with a population-based sample of 1210 women using standard telephone research methods. Headache diagnoses were based on the International Headache Society (IHS) Classification. Calculated prevalence of migraine headache was 26%. Only 51% of women with migraine had consulted a physician about their headaches. Women with migraines rely on over-the-counter medications and non-specific prescription medications. Less than 10% of women with migraine use triptans/dihydroergotamine for primary treatment. Ninety seven percent of women with migraine reported at least one psychosocial impact resulting from migraines. The prevalence of migraine in Canadian women appears static, and is again shown to be slightly higher than that reported in the United States. As in other epidemiologic studies, many women with migraine do not seek medical help for their headaches and perhaps as a result, few are using migraine-specific medications to treat their headaches. The impact of migraine on Canadian women is substantial with almost all women with migraine reporting adverse psychosocial effects of migraines on their lives.