Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
To explore the social and personal impact of headache, we contributed questions on serious headache to a population-based telephone survey on health in Kentucky. A total of 647 persons aged 20 and older was assessed for serious headache. Migraine without aura was distinguished from non-migraine headache using a modification of the 1988 IHS criteria. The 12-month period prevalence for all serious headaches was 13. 4%; for migraine, it was 8. 5%. Demographically, there was a higher proportion of headache sufferers in the low income bracket (< 10, 000/year) and a higher proportion of women reporting migraines. Of those with serious headaches, 73. 6% stated that headaches adversely affected their lifestyle in at least one way. Migraineurs reported significantly more interference in family relations, work attendance, and work efficiency than non-migraineurs. Women said their family relationships and work productivity were impacted significantly more often than men. Of those reporting disability, 46. 8% said they take only non-prescription medications. We conclude there is a significant number of serious headache sufferers in Kentucky who experience social as well as vocational impairment as a result of their illness. Further research is recommended to evaluate the extent of interpersonal and personal disability and to identify barriers to adequate health care for headache sufferers.
Kryst et al. (Wed,) studied this question.