Effect of Migraine Headache on Productivity of Patients According to Migraine Disability Assessment Score: A Cross-Sectional Study

Migraine is one of the primary headache disorders, associated with nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, sound, or smell. An episode of this type of headache is usually recurrent with moderate to severe intensity. Global prevalence of migraine is 15%, while that in eastern India alone was recorded as 14.2% [1‐4]. Globally, migraine is the most common type of headache among individuals aged 20–40-year-old, with the highest occurrence being around the age of 40, known to be the age of the maximum workforce [5, 6]. According to a nationwide survey, the 1-year prevalence of migraine in Pakistan is 22.7%, mostly affecting the age group between 40 and 49 years [7]. It is one of the most common diseases and is the third most common cause of disability under the age of 50 [4].

Migraine symptoms significantly affect the life style of the patient, with a reduction in social activities and professional capacity [8]. It results in high costs, particularly those associated with reduced productivity, work time (alone exceeding those of medical care), and ultimately, unemployment [5, 6]. Migraine is a risk factor for sleep disturbances, depression, anxiety, and stress. These factors further promote disability in migraine patients. Longstanding migraine also leads to cognitive dysfunction that causes absenteeism or decreased work performance and can impact the socio-economic status of the patient [9].

It is evident that migraine limits the skills of an individual such as problem solving, speaking, and driving [6]. A significant association between migraine and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) was found, with the latter increasing with increased frequency of the headache [10]. Prophylactic treatment considerably reduces anxiety, depression, and disability symptoms [11].

The onset of headache was earlier in patients with migraine, who reported a first-degree family history of the disease [12]. Research conducted on medical students of Karachi, Pakistan, revealed that migraine was the most common type of headache among the target population. A high self-medication rate was observed as a result of disturbed sleep pattern and stress, with avoidance of academics, extra-curricular activities, family and friends [13]. According to another study conducted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan, migraine frequency was higher in females than males, and it was more in the age group of above 30 years. Most of the migraine patients (40.2%) did not visit the hospital and preferred self-medication [14].

The degree of disability is often used as a parameter to determine disease severity and prescribe medication. For this purpose, different scoring systems have been suggested, one of which is MIDAS; the Migraine Disability Assessment Score. MIDAS is a standardized questionnaire that determines the severity of disability by assessment of the level of pain among the affected individuals [15]. Many studies have proved that the MIDAS score often correlates with a physician’s assessment of migraine and is a useful tool for establishing the level of care and treatment required [3, 4, 16, 17]. The aim of our study was to evaluate migraine-associated disability among the population in Pakistan using the MIDAS questionnaire.

There are limited data available regarding migraine-associated costs and disability in Pakistan and the findings of our work will contribute towards the existing studies. The purpose of our research is to determine the extent of disability among migraine patients in the region, patterns of prophylaxis, and healthcare-seeking behaviors among the effected group.

This cross-sectional survey was carried out at the outpatient department of the neurological ward of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi, Pakistan. In a time period of 2 months (April and May 2018), the questionnaire was filled out by 50 individuals with migraine. Migraine was already diagnosed by a senior neurologist based on International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition [18]. Participants were included after consenting to the study, which was approved by the ethical committee of JPMC. Those denying the consent and those less than 14 years of age were excluded. The study was performed in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration of 1964 and its later amendments. The questionnaire was modified after performing a pilot study and going through previous similar studies.

The questionnaire was comprised of three parts, the first part inquired about demographic information, while the second part consisted of questions regarding the use of medications during the migraine attack, prophylaxis taken, and pattern of visiting health care facility during or after the migraine symptoms. Moreover, the subjects were asked about their sleeping habits and the possible effect of migraine on their sleeping patterns was assessed based on the participant’s self-interpretation. The third part of questionnaire had assessment for calculating the MIDAS score, that is, an inability/reduced ability of more than 50% to attend work or school, the inability/reduced ability to do household work, the inability to participate in non-work-related activities (total scores: 0–3 in each headache attack) [15].

The score was interpreted as follows: Grade 1, little or no disability (0–5); Grade 2, mild disability (6–10); Grade 3, moderate disability (11–20); and Grade 4, severe disability (> 21). Data entry and analysis were done by using SPSS version 23.

A total of 50 migraine subjects contributed to this study out of 55 screened individuals. The remaining five were not willing to participate. Mean age of the individuals was 31 ± 10 years, among which 82% were females and 18% were males. Approximately 68% of females were housewives. Married individuals with migraine were greater as compared to unmarried (64 vs. 36%) (Table 1).

The pattern of medication and prophylaxis used by migraine subjects is summarized in Table 2. Acetaminophen was the most common medication used by the individuals during a migraine attack (48%), followed by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (40%). Many individuals did not take any prophylaxis (46%) and the majority (54%) of subjects admitted using prophylaxis. Among this group, 94% of people had stopped taking prophylaxis before the end of treatment, with the most common reason for this being their side effects. β-blockers were the most common prophylaxis used (20%), followed by tricyclic antidepressants (18%). The majority of patients felt that they have developed tolerance. There was a lower tendency of going to follow-ups with health care among individuals with migraine and only 32% had a follow-up visit with doctors.

Average hours of sleep among the data was 6.56 h. Table 3 shows the summary of MIDAS score questionnaire. The average score was 22.42, while the grading was as follows: Grade 1 (0–5), 22% (n = 11); Grade 2 (6–10), 14% (n = 7); Grade 3 (11–20), 24% (n = 12); and Grade 4 (> 21), 40% (n = 20).

The disability prevalence associated with migraine is large and concerning, with chronic migraine patients being affected more [19]. Individuals suffering from migraine-related disability experience difficulties in maintaining a work and household routine and struggle with socializing activities, which is consistent with the results of our study [20]. Moreover, studies have shown that gender has a direct effect on the intensity of migraine attacks. A study reported a higher prevalence of severe migraine in females as compared to males and females suffered greater migraine-related disabilities [21]. A study conducted in Psychiatry Tertiary Care Hospital in New Delhi revealed that 66.0% of females with migraines scored low on the Female Sexual Function Index, an indication of lower sexuality as compared to the control group (33%) [22]. Our study showed β-blockers as the most common prophylactic used for migraine, however this is different from the finding in another study where the use of anti-depressants was more common [23]. The same study also revealed that the use of prophylaxis increased with an increasing age, however, no such relation was observed in our study. Although beneficial to some extent, these medications have been known to cause dizziness, chest pressure, and muscle weakness, due to overuse, especially in chronic migraine [24, 25]. A study on 1200 individuals revealed that a large number of patients stopped taking prophylaxis prescribed by the doctor primarily due to decreased efficacy or side effects [23, 26].

The study is limited by its size, the absence of consideration of comorbidities, and lack of randomization. Secondly, since this is a cross-sectional study, there was no control group, and the presence of one would have given us more meaningful results. The onset of diagnosis, frequency, and duration of attacks were also not taken into regard. Lastly, due to irregularities regarding duration and frequency of medication, we could not include the exact values in the data.

Our study concludes that the majority of migraine patients have grade 4, that is, severe disability. In addition to reduced sleep hours, this factor effects their daily work-related as well as social activities. Most of the results in our study are consistent with migraine-related studies conducted in other countries. Despite an increase in disability rate due to migraine, the trend of people towards seeking regular medical care and prophylaxis is low in Pakistan.