The Clinical Burden of Migraine: Insights from Patients in Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

Background: Migraine is a neurological disorder characterized by severe, throbbing, unilateral headaches, affecting approximately 1.1 billion people globally (prevalence 14.4%, higher in women at 18.9%). In India, over 213 million cases occur, with Delhi-NCR reporting 26.3% prevalence; Uttarakhand lacks specific data. This study assessed migraine’s clinical burden in Uttarakhand, evaluating prevalence, risk factors, triggers, and daily life.
Methods: This prospective observational cross-sectional study was conducted over six months (28 October 2024–28 April 2025) at a tertiary care hospital in Dehradun, Uttarakhand (IEC-approved, ID #SGRR/IEC/26/24). One hundred adults (≥18 years) with ICHD-3 migraine (episodic/chronic) were enrolled via consecutive sampling (n calculated at 95% confidence). Data on demographics, symptoms, triggers, and disability (MIDAS) were collected using validated questionnaires and headache diaries. Statistics included t-tests, χ2 tests (p<0.05), and SPSS v27.
Results: Among 100 patients (78% female, mean age 40.41±12.62 years), mean attacks were 10.1±4.41 days/ month (duration 17.42±10.21 hours). Symptoms: nausea (84%), photophobia/phonophobia (76%), aura (74%). Triggers: stress (55%), hormonal (29%); significant associations with gender (χ2=14.512, p=0.002) and occupation (χ2=26.981, p=0.029). No gender difference in frequency (t=0.990, p=0.990). Treatments: OTC (50%), low efficacy (5% effective).
Conclusion: Migraine imposes substantial midlife burden in urban Uttarakhand, with female predominance, stress/hormonal triggers linked to occupation/gender. Poor treatment outcomes highlight care gaps. Region specific interventions targeting stress and access are essential.