The burden of migraine. A review of cost to society.

Migraine is a common episodic disorder with considerable impact on individuals and society. Migraine occurs with the highest prevalence between the ages of 25 and 55 years, potentially the most productive period of life. Severe migraine can lead to disruption of work, family and social life, the long term consequences of which may affect quality of life. The direct costs of migraine (due to medical care) are small compared with the indirect costs caused by absence from work and reduced productivity. Population-based studies are required to assess incidence, prevalence and distribution of the disease. These studies also reveal that migraine is currently underdiagnosed and undertreated. The cumulative impact of migraine on individuals produces the burden of illness on society. Measuring the severity of migraine is important in understanding the extent of the burden of migraine on the individual and on society. Measures of severity may be useful as predictors of disability and healthcare use. These measures may also be useful in assessing the need for patient care and treatment and help target those more disabled by migraine. Identifying and treating appropriate patients should reduce the impact of migraine on the individual and the burden of migraine on society.