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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Migraine | Research article

Disability, quality of life, productivity impairment and employer costs of migraine in the workplace

Authors: Toshihiko Shimizu, Fumihiko Sakai, Hitoshi Miyake, Tomofumi Sone, Mitsuhiro Sato, Satoshi Tanabe, Yasuhiro Azuma, David W. Dodick

Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Migraine is the leading cause of days lost due to disability in the world among people less than 50 years of age. There is a paucity of evidence on the impact of migraine and other headache disorders and the cost and productivity losses in the workplace.

Methods

Employee population survey assessed prevalence, characteristics, and disability of headache disorders at a Japanese information technology company. This study was supported by the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region Office and International Headache Society.

Results

2458 (1963men, 495 women) out of 2494 responded to the survey that utilized ICHD-3 beta criteria. Among these, 13% (205 male/123 female) had migraine (M), 53% (1093 male/207 female) had tension-type headache (TTH) and 4% (61 male/27 female) had migraine and TTH (M/TTH). The number of days when productivity at work was reduced by half or more because of headache was significantly higher in migraine compared to TTH. The norm-based scoring of SF-12v2 was significantly lower in M/TTH and M than TTH. The economic loss due to absenteeism for migraine was calculated to be $ 238.3US$/year/person for day-off and 90.2US$/year/person for half-day off using migraine disability assessment score (MIDAS). The economic loss due to presenteeism for migraine was calculated to be $ 375.4US$/year/person using MIDAS and 2217US$/year/person using work productivity and activity impairment questionnaire (WPAI). Furthermore, estimated cost of productivity loss associated with presenteeism using WPAI was calculated at 21.3 billion US$/year in Japan as a whole.

Conclusions

This study revealed a high prevalence and disease burden among employees with migraine that is associated with substantial losses in productivity and employer cost. These results support the development and implementation of workplace programs to improve migraine management in the workplace and reduce the burden and costs associated with lost workplace productivity.

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Title: Disability, quality of life, productivity impairment and employer costs of migraine in the workplace
Authors: Toshihiko Shimizu
Fumihiko Sakai
Hitoshi Miyake
Tomofumi Sone
Mitsuhiro Sato
Satoshi Tanabe
Yasuhiro Azuma
David W. Dodick
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: Springer Milan
Keywords: Migraine
Tension Headache
Headache
Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain / Issue 1/2021
Print ISSN: 1129-2369
Electronic ISSN: 1129-2377
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-021-01243-5

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Disability, quality of life, productivity impairment and employer costs of migraine in the workplace

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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