# Exploring the professional and personal impact of migraine: a cross-sectional study in Greece

## TL;DR

This study in Greece shows that migraine significantly affects work and daily life, with women and those with chronic migraines being most impacted.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into migraine's impact on work-related difficulties and disability in Greece using validated questionnaires.

## Key findings

- 52.2% of participants had severe migraine-related disability.
- Work-related difficulties were linked to stress and environmental factors like noise and brightness.
- Females and those with chronic migraines showed higher disability and work-related scores.

## Abstract

Background: Migraine is a chronic neurological disorder affecting over
one billion individuals globally. It is a leading cause of disability,
significantly impacting daily functioning, social relationships and work-related
productivity. This study aims to explore the impact of migraine-related
disability in everyday life in terms of missed days and productivity loss, as
well as to identify work-related difficulties associated with migraine and the
potential factors that exacerbate these difficulties. Methods: This
cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2023 to June 2024, involving 604
adult patients with migraine in Greece, selected through a convenience sampling
method. Data collected included socio-demographic and clinical information,
obtained using two validated self-reported questionnaires: the Migraine
Disability Assessment (MIDAS) and the HEADWORK questionnaire. Statistical
analysis was performed using IBM SPSS (Version 20.0), and descriptive statistics,
chi-square tests, t-tests and Spearman’s correlation were employed to
evaluate the relationship between disability and work-related challenges.
Results: The MIDAS score revealed a high level of disability, with
52.2% of participants classified in the Severe Disability grade. HEADWORK scores
highlighted moderate-to-severe work-related difficulties, particularly concerning
stress management and environmental factors such as noise and brightness.
Females, patients experiencing migraine with aura, and individuals with chronic
migraine exhibited higher MIDAS and HEADWORK scores. Conclusions: This
study reveals the substantial impact of migraine on professional productivity and
social relationships, emphasizing challenges in work-related performance and
daily activities. The findings underscore the need for workplace accommodations
and targeted interventions to improve the quality of life of individuals with
migraine.