Exploring the professional and personal impact of migraine: a cross-sectional study in Greece

Migraine is a chronic neurological disorder affecting over one billion individuals globally. It is a leading cause of disability, significantly impacting daily functioning, social relationships and work-related productivity. This study aims to explore the impact of migraine-related disability in everyday life in terms of missed days and productivity loss, as well as to identify work-related difficulties associated with migraine and the potential factors that exacerbate these difficulties.

This cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2023 to June 2024, involving 604 adult patients with migraine in Greece, selected through a convenience sampling method. Data collected included socio-demographic and clinical information, obtained using two validated self-reported questionnaires: the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) and the HEADWORK questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS (Version 20.0), and descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, t-tests and Spearman's correlation were employed to evaluate the relationship between disability and work-related challenges.

The MIDAS score revealed a high level of disability, with 52.2% of participants classified in the Severe Disability grade. HEADWORK scores highlighted moderate-to-severe work-related difficulties, particularly concerning stress management and environmental factors such as noise and brightness. Females, patients experiencing migraine with aura, and individuals with chronic migraine exhibited higher MIDAS and HEADWORK scores.

This study reveals the substantial impact of migraine on professional productivity and social relationships, emphasizing challenges in work-related performance and daily activities. The findings underscore the need for workplace accommodations and targeted interventions to improve the quality of life of individuals with migraine.