The cost of headache disorders in Europe: the Eurolight project.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Headache disorders are very common, but their monetary costs in Europe are unknown. We performed the first comprehensive estimation of how economic resources are lost to headache in Europe. METHODS: From November 2008 to August 2009, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in eight countries representing 55% of the adult EU population. Participation rates varied between 11% and 59%. In total, 8412 questionnaires contributed to this analysis. Using bottom-up methodology, we estimated direct (medications, outpatient health care, hospitalization and investigations) and indirect (work absenteeism and reduced productivity at work) annual per-person costs. Prevalence data, simultaneously collected and, for migraine, also derived from a systematic review, were used to impute national costs. RESULTS: Mean per-person annual costs were €1222 for migraine (95% CI 1055-1389; indirect costs 93%), €303 for tension-type headache (TTH, 95% CI 230-376; indirect costs 92%), €3561 for medication-overuse headache (MOH, 95% CI 2487-4635; indirect costs 92%), and €253 for other headaches (95% CI 99-407; indirect costs 82%). In the EU, the total annual cost of headache amongst adults aged 18-65 years was calculated, according to our prevalence estimates, at €173 billion, apportioned to migraine (€111 billion; 64%), TTH (€21 billion; 12%), MOH (€37 billion; 21%) and other headaches (€3 billion; 2%). Using the 15% systematic review prevalence of migraine, calculated costs were somewhat lower (migraine €50 billion, all headache €112 billion annually). CONCLUSIONS: Headache disorders are prominent health-related drivers of immense economic losses for the EU. This has immediate implications for healthcare policy. Health care for headache can be both improved and cost saving.

The Eurolight project: the impact of primary headache disorders in Europe. Description of methods.

The Eurolight project is the first at European Union level to assess the impact of headache disorders, and also the first of its scale performed by collaboration between professional and lay organizations and individuals. Here are reported the methods developed for it. The project took the form of surveys, by structured questionnaire, conducted in ten countries of Europe which together represented 60% of the adult population of the European Union. In Lithuania, the survey was population-based. Elsewhere, truly population-based studies were impractical for reasons of cost, and various compromises were developed. Closest to being population-based were the surveys in Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain. In Austria, France and UK, samples were taken from health-care settings. In addition in the Netherlands, Spain and Ireland, samples were drawn from members of national headache patient organizations and their relatives. Independent double data-entry was performed prior to analysis. Returned questionnaires from 9,269 respondents showed a moderate female bias (58%); of respondents from patients' organizations (n = 992), 61% were female. Mean age of all respondents was 44 years; samples from patients' organizations were slightly older (mean 47 years). The different sampling methods worked with differing degrees of effectiveness, as evidenced by the responder-rates, which varied from 10.8 to 90.7%. In the more population-based surveys, responder-rates varied from 11.3 to 58.8%. We conclude that the methodology, although with differences born of necessity in the ten countries, was sound overall, and will provide robust data on the public ill-health that results from headache in Europe.

[Migraine medical control and related variables. Results of the European Work and Migraine survey]. / Control médico en migraña y variables relacionadas. Resultados de la encuesta europea Trabajo y Migraña.

OBJECTIVE: This purpose of this work is to determine the care preferences and the required use of medical care by migraine patients in the different countries of Europe, and the observed differences depending on their social and demographic conditions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study by anonymous web survey of 3,342 patients from Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, Ireland, United Kingdom, Germany, and a mixed group of countries not included in the initial design. VARIABLES: age, gender, country, type of location, level of studies and rural or urban area. The demand for care is collected by neurologist, primary care doctors/family/general practitioners, by occupational health doctors, nurses, by other doctors/other specialists, non-medical control/self-control. RESULTS: The patients more seen by a neurologist were about 21-60years old and with a high cultural level. Primary care/family doctor care is higher in urban areas. Occupational medicine, nursing, and other specialties predominate in large cities. Self-control is greater in patients aged 21-40years and in women. Spain and Germany are the countries with the greatest demand for care in Neurology and Primary Care. CONCLUSIONS: The medical demand for migraine care in Europe shows irregular results according to countries, with it being a priority in neurology and with less participation of Primary Care physicians, work doctors, nurses, or other specialties. Differences are observed by age, gender, and cultural level both in the demand for care and in the choice of specialist. It is important to take into account the percentage of patients who have no medical control.