Migraine in the Corporate Sector: Prevalence, Risk Factors, Job Efficiency Impact, and Management Strategies

BACKGROUND Migraine, a prevalent neurological disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of severe headache, significantly impacts individuals worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate migraine prevalence, identify key risk factors, assess the impact on job performance, and explore commonly used management strategies. MATERIAL AND METHODS This cross-sectional study involved corporate sector employees visiting outpatient neurology departments in Pakistan. A questionnaire was developed to quantify the overall burden of migraine. Inferential statistics, including the Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis H test, were used to evaluate group differences. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted to confirm the questionnaire's structural validity. RESULTS The questionnaire showed strong reliability (Cronbach's alpha=0.81) and validity (S-CVI=0.86, KMO=0.82, P<0.001). Migraines significantly impacted job efficiency (p=0.015), with 43.8% experiencing episodes lasting 4 to 8 h. Gender (P=0.012), age (P=0.029), and income (P=0.045) were significantly associated with migraine burden. The most common triggers were stress (27.7%) and sleep deprivation (23.2%), while over-the-counter medication (62.5%) was the most commonly used treatment. Gender (ß=0.23, P=0.012), age (ß=-0.19, P=0.029), and income (ß=-0.17, P=0.045) significantly predicted the migraine burden. A higher migraine burden significantly predicted lower job efficiency (ß=-0.31, P=0.015). CONCLUSIONS Migraines have a significant impact on job efficiency in the Pakistani corporate sector, necessitating comprehensive management strategies and targeted interventions to mitigate their effects.