Functioning and disability in migraine

To describe functioning and disability in patients with migraine according to the model endorsed by the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF).

Adult patients with migraine were consecutively enrolled. The Migraine Disability Assessment score (MIDAS), the ICF checklist and the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHO-DAS II) were administered in individual sessions. Descriptive analyses were performed to report on MIDAS and WHO-DAS II scores. ICF categories reported as a problem by more than 20% of patients were described in detail.

One hundred two patients (mean age 43.5; 85.3% females) were enrolled. Mean MIDAS score was 28.2. WHO-DAS II was 18.7, and the most severe limitations are reported in life activities and in participation to social situations. A total of 61 ICF categories reached the threshold of 20%, 19 Body Functions and Structures, 25 Activities and Participation and 17 Environmental Factors.

We reported information on a broad set of domains, expanding migraine-specific ones, such as pain and lost workdays that were previously reported in other studies. Our results enable to enlarge the perspective of disability in patients with migraine, considering both symptoms, activities and the role of environmental factors.