The prevalence and characteristics of migraine among the Belgian working population

Migraine is a very common disease. For the first time in Belgium, a study has been set up to assess some characteristics of the migraine problem like occurrence, frequency, duration, in a convenience sample of employees.

A total of 1660 persons participated in the study. Employees completed a short international validated self-administered questionnaire (ID-Migraine Screener) in which migraine-related characteristics have been assessed.

Lifetime prevalence of migraine in this study was 20.2% (95% CI: 18.3-22.2%), was significantly higher for women than for men and was the highest in the age group 35-44 years. On average 10.6 lost working days due to migraine were reported per absentee and per year, or per migraineur on average 2.3 days, and per employee 0.4 days. Migraine is estimated to account for about 1,154,336 lost working days each year in Flanders and Brussels. However underreporting of symptoms, attacks and sick leave days was estimated at about 50%, depending on the time frame. Sixty-nine percent of the migraine sufferers use medication regularly. Only minor differences have been detected in migraine prevalence according to the recorded occupational risks. Finally, the limitations of the study are discussed.