Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of migraine in Korea

Roh, J K; Kim, J S; Ahn, Y O

Abstract

This is the first population-based epidemiologic study of migraine in Korea. We first carried out the nationwide telephone survey to 2,500 adults, representative of the total adult population. Enquiries were made concerning the frequency, recurrency of headache and medical history to exclude the somatic causes. After then, the Questionnaire was mailed to 804 persons who replied that they had the chronic or recurrent headaches and had a will to participate in the mail survey . The diagnosis of classification of headache was done by using the criteria of International Headache Society. Sixty eight percent(n=1701) reported a history of headache during the preceding year. Eighteen point two percent(n=455) complained of a recurrent headache. The prevalence of headache was highest in the young women who lived in the Seoul area. Twenty two point three percent fulfilled the criteria for migraine. Among women the overall prevalence of migraine was 24.3 % with a maximum of 34.7% in the 15-19 age group. The prevalence rate among men was 20.2%. 1n men, 15-19 age group showed maximal prevalence rate of 28.5%. The female to male gender ratio(1.2:1) was lower than those of the previous studies. The prevalence rate of migraine without aura(MWOA) was 11.0%(male: 8.9%, female: 13.1%) with maximal prevalence rate in the 20-29 age group. Ten point four percent of population suffered from migraine with aura(MWA). The prevalence rate of MWA was highest in the 15-19 age group in both sexes with 9.5% in men and 11.4% in women. Thirty five point three percent of migraineur had the family history of similar headache, which was more common in women(41.6%) than in men(28.2%). Phonophobia was the most common associated symptom(65.1%) followed by photophobia(42.3%). Nausea/vomiting was observed in 27.4% of patients. In the MWA, the most common aura symptom was visual disturbance including scintillation and distorsion of image(82.3%). The intensity of headache was more severe in women than in men. Throbbing nature was observed in 61.4% of migraineurs. Fifty three point eight percent of patients had unilateral headache. The headache was aggravated by routine activities in 59.8% of migraineurs. The routine daily activities were affected by migraine in 57.7% of patients. Only 24.4% of patients ever consulted doctor for headache and 3.3% of patients medicated the drug by doctor's order only.