Prevalence and impact of migraine and probable migraine in a health plan.

Abstract

A large number of headache sufferers with features of migraine fail to meet criteria for strict migraine (SM; migraine with or without aura) but do meet criteria for probable migraine (PM). To estimate the prevalence of PM, to compare the epidemiologic profiles of SM and PM, and to assess the disability and impact on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of these patients. Computer-assisted telephone interviews in a sample recruited from a mixed model health maintenance organization were used. SM, PM, and control subjects were identified. Also assessed were demographic features, disability, HRQoL, and depression. The 1-year prevalence for SM was 14.7% (19.2% in women and 6.6% in men); for PM, it was 14.6% (15.9% in women, 12.6% in men). Most subjects with PM (82%) did not meet the associated symptom criteria for migraine. HRQoL was reduced in the PM, SM, and all migraine (AM; SM and PM pooled together) groups compared with controls. The proportion of subjects with high disability was elevated in PM (13%), SM (31%), and AM (22%) groups vs controls (3.7%; p < 0.0001). Within a health plan, probable migraine is a prevalent form of migraine, with symptom and epidemiologic profiles that overlap with strict migraine. Although strict migraine prevalence was consistent with previous studies, a probable migraine prevalence higher than previously reported was found, perhaps reflecting a difference between health plan and population samples.