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Population variation in migraine prevalence: a meta-analysis
W F Stewart1, D Simon, A Shechter
1Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205.
Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
|February 1, 1995
Summary
Migraine prevalence estimates are stable across studies when considering gender, age, and case definition. Sociodemographic factors and specific case definitions significantly influence reported migraine prevalence rates.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Migraine prevalence varies significantly across different population-based studies.
- Understanding factors influencing prevalence estimates is crucial for accurate epidemiological assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key factors explaining the variation in migraine prevalence estimates from published studies.
- To determine the impact of sociodemographic variables and case definitions on migraine prevalence.
Main Methods:
- A meta-analysis of 24 population-based studies was performed.
- Linear regression analysis was used to assess the influence of gender, age, and case definition on 168 prevalence estimates.
- Factors such as study population selection, response rate, and diagnostic confirmation were also evaluated.
Main Results:
- Gender, age (including quadratic effects), case definition, and their interaction explained 70.6% of the variation in migraine prevalence.
- The Waters case definition showed statistically significant differences in prevalence estimates compared to other definitions.
- Other examined factors did not substantially increase the explained variance.
Conclusions:
- Migraine prevalence estimates are remarkably stable when sociodemographic factors and case definitions are adequately accounted for.
- Gender and age are primary drivers of variation in migraine prevalence estimates.
- Standardized case definitions are essential for consistent epidemiological research on migraine.