Health care utilization and disability of migraine--The Ontario Health Survey
By: T. To, K. Wu.
Contributors: To, T.; Wu, K.; Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences in Ontario.
Series: ICES working paper series -- no. 27
Publisher: Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences in Ontario
Published: 1994
Place of publication: Ontario
Language: eng
Number of pages: 17
Subjects: Migraine Disorders; Activities of Daily Living; Adult; Drug Costs; Drug Utilization; Efficiency; Emergency Medical Services; Health Surveys; Hospital Costs; Hospitalization; Migraine Disorders -- economics; Migraine Disorders -- epidemiology; Prevalence; Socioeconomic Factors; Female; Humans; Male; Ontario
Description: OBJECTIVE. To measure the prevalence of migraine, the associated functional disabilities, its utilization of medications and physician's visits. DESIGN. 135,062 migraineurs in Ontario were estimated from the Ontario Health Survey (OHS).  The population demographics, utilization of medications and physician's visits were compared to individuals without migraine. RESULTS. The prevalence of migraine was estimated at 1.4% in Ontario. The migraineurs were heavy users of both prescription and non-prescription drugs (98.0%).  They were heavier users of pain relievers than the comparison group (91.2% versus 58.2%, p less than 0.0000).  As indicated in the two-week disability reports, 11% of them were bedridden for an average of 1.6 days and 9.3% were restricted from normal activities for an average of 2.4 days due to migraine. CONCLUSIONS. A $31 million loss in productivity and close to $2 million in hospitalization costs were estimated from severe migraine sufferers.  The findings of this study highlight both the medical and financial impact of migraine on the individual and the health care systems.
Notes: June 1994.

Includes bibliographical references. (10 ref.)