Prevalence of adult migraine in general practice

In 1988 the International Headache Society presented new criteria for the diagnosis of migraine. We used these criteria in a questionnaire to assist in the diagnosis of migraine. The questionnaire was answered by 230 patients in four general practices. We found a migraine prevalence of 11.7%. More than 70% of migraine patients had 12 or more attacks per year, and the length of attack varied between 4 and 24 h in 80% of them. The majority of migraineurs went to bed during the attack and 55% had stayed away from work due to migraine during the last year. The results of this study are in agreement with others. Migraine is an appreciable economic concern due to frequent short absenteeism from work.