Pathophysiology, epidemiology, and impact of migraine.

Full Abstract

Despite a decade of progress, migraine headache remains prevalent, disabling, underdiagnosed, and undertreated in the United States. Migraine affects approximately 12% of the population, and the economic burden in terms of annual cost of labor lost to migraine disability is between $5.6 and $17.2 billion. The threshold for migraine may be genetically determined, although recent genetic and neurophysiologic studies point to migraine as possibly a channelopathy. Cerebral cortical and brain stem changes occur in migraine. Head pain and associated symptoms of migraine can be explained by activation of the trigeminal vascular system. Evidence has also been accumulated that suggests the release of nitric oxide is an important trigger mechanism. Introduction of the triptans has dramatically advanced acute migraine pharmacotherapy, and preventive therapy has greatly improved; however, public health initiatives may be needed to further advance diagnosis and treatment of this common and disabling disorder.

Author information

Author/s: Mathew, N T (NT);

Affiliation: Houston Headache Clinic Houston, Texas, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Review

Journal: Clinical cornerstone (Clin Cornerstone), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2001-; vol 4 (issue 3) : pp 1-17

Dates: Created 2003/05/12; Completed 2003/05/28; Revised 2005/11/17;

PMID: 12739312, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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