Health care utilization and changes in health status over time for migraineurs

Determining how migraineurs manage their condition from the viewpoint of health resource utilization (including both medical and personal resources) may provide insights that could lead to more effective care strategies.

To determine the relative importance of modifiable health-influencing activities for migraineurs, and to compare the effects of these activities between migraineurs and nonmigraineurs in the general population.

Linear regression analysis was applied to all persons older than 19 years of age with migraine in the Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle 1.1. The dependent variable was reported health status change over time. Explanatory variables were a series of health care utilization, health behaviour and background control variables.

Results showed that health status was positively associated with higher levels of physical activity and negatively associated with smoking for both migraineurs and nonmigraineurs, even when controlling for all other variables.

By modifying controllable resources and behaviours, the reported health status of migraineurs can be improved as effectively as nonmigraineurs.