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Socioeconomic determinants of migraine and other headaches
Socioeconomic determinants of migraine and other headaches
Germán Latorre-González
Servicio de Neurología, Unidad de Cefaleas, Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada, Fuenlabrada, Madrid
*Correspondence: Germán Latorre-González. Email: ger.latorre@gmail.com
Summary
Primary headaches represent a group of highly disabling neurological disorders. Although tension-type headache is the most prevalent, migraine (combining high prevalence with substantial associated disability) remains the best-studied condition and the one with the broadest therapeutic options. The relationship between socioeconomic determinants and headache is well established, despite not having been explored in depth and sometimes showing disparities across study results, likely due to relevant methodological biases. Overall, most studies conclude that there is an inverse association between socioeconomic status and the prevalence and impact of primary headaches, and that this relationship is generally multifactorial. In migraine, low socioeconomic status is recognized as a risk factor for disease progression and chronification. Furthermore, individuals with lower income are more likely to experience inequities in access to accurate diagnosis, specific acute and preventive treatments, specialized headache units, complementary investigations, and novel therapies. The stigma associated with migraine, which constitutes an additional source of inequality in the care of affected patients, has been analyzed in recent years with relative depth.
Keywords: Primary headaches. Socioeconomic determinants. Health policies. Stigma. Migraine. Tension-type headache. Disability. Cluster headache. Cranial neuralgias. Secondary headaches.
