A longitudinal evaluation of changes in disability and quality of life in a sample of women with migraine

Neurol Sci. 2011 May:32 Suppl 1:S189-91. doi: 10.1007/s10072-011-0535-2.

Abstract

Migraine's high prevalence, which rises up to 25% among women in the productive age, determines a strong reduction in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and increased disability. Aim of this study is to longitudinally describe disability and HRQoL in a sample of adult women with migraine attending to a specialty centre. HRQoL was measured with the SF-36 and disability with the WHO-DAS II. One-sample t test was used to assess deterioration in disability and HRQoL scales compared to normative scores; effect size was calculated to describe magnitude of change after 3 months. Majority of scales were significantly deteriorated, and changes between baseline and follow-up were negligible to small for most of SF-36 scales, and small to moderate for WHO-DAS II scales. In conclusion, women with migraine showed pervasive deterioration in disability and HRQoL. Wider improvements were observed at follow-up for activities in which relational skills are relevant, while those with a physical component, or that are predominantly performed autonomously, remained almost unchanged.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Middle Aged
  • Migraine Disorders / complications
  • Migraine Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Migraine Disorders / psychology
  • Quality of Life*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult