# Prevalence, Factors and Impact of Migraine on Healthcare Professionals: A cross-sectional study in the United Arab Emirates

## TL;DR

This study found that 18% of healthcare workers in the UAE suffer from migraines, which significantly affect their quality of life and work performance.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific risk factors for migraines among UAE healthcare professionals and quantifies their impact on work and quality of life.

## Key findings

- Migraine prevalence among UAE healthcare professionals was 18.2%.
- Migraine sufferers reported significantly higher disability and work impairment compared to non-sufferers.
- Factors like stress, sleep deprivation, and food triggers were strongly associated with increased migraine risk.

## Abstract

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of migraines among healthcare professionals (HCPs) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), identify associated factors and evaluate their impact on quality of life (QoL) and work performance.

This cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2022 and included nurses and doctors across 4 healthcare settings in the UAE. Migraine prevalence was assessed using the Migraine Screen Questionnaire, while its impact on social support and work function was evaluated through the Migraine Disability Assessment, the Oslo Social Support Scale and the Headache Impact Test. Data were analysed using Chi-square tests, binary logistic regression and multivariable logistic regression.

A total of 440 nurses and doctors were included. Migraine prevalence among participants was 18.2%. The likelihood of experiencing migraines was significantly higher among females (odds ratio [OR] = 2.99, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1–7.9), individuals with a family history of migraines (OR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.1–4.3), those reporting stress (OR = 5.87, 95% CI: 2.9–11.8), sleep deprivation (OR = 4.38, 95% CI: 1.9–9.8), motion sickness (OR = 5.06, 95% CI: 1.7–15.5) and specific food triggers (OR = 11.29, 95% CI: 3.1–41.2). Participants with migraines reported significantly higher rates of disability (29.1% versus 3.4%; P <0.001) and severe work function impairment (54.4% versus 17.1%; P <0.001). Additionally, migraines were associated with a greater perceived burden on general health and QoL.

Approximately 1 in 5 HCPs in the UAE experience migraines. Several personal and modifiable factors contribute to an increased risk of migraines, which significantly impair QoL, work performance and disability levels.