Work impact of migraine headaches.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate work impact of headache among migraineurs.


METHODS
Data were from a U.S. nationwide mailed questionnaire of 193,477 participants in the American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention study. Lost Productive Time (LPT) was the sum of missed hours plus reduced productivity hour equivalents. The cause of LPT was self-reported.


RESULTS
The mean LPT per week was 1.8 hours for headache and 2.8 for all health related causes; 76.5% of the headache-related LPT was explained by reduced performance (ie, presenteeism). The 29% of migraine cases with 11+ headaches-d/mo accounted for 49% of overall LPT; the 19% of those with pain score of 9 to 10 on a 0 to 10 scale accounted for 33% of the overall LPT.


CONCLUSIONS
Individuals with frequent and severe headaches account for a disproportionate share of the headache-related LPT.
Stewart
Walter F
WF
Geisinger Clinic, Center for Health Research, MC 44-00,100 N. Academy Ave, Danville, PA 17822, USA. wfstewart@geisinger.edu
Wood
G Craig
GC
Razzaghi
Hanieh
H
Reed
Michael L
ML
Lipton
Richard B
RB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult