EVALUATION OF SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC FEATURES IN PATIENTS OF MIGRAINE - AN OUTPATIENT CLINIC STUDY

Dr. Ruchita Vasudeva*

ABSTRACT

Background: Headache is a major cause of disability and loss of output in any age group. Migraine is a type of headache, classified as primary headache. Extensive study of patients of migraine leads to the conclusion it is actually more a neurological disorder on its own, rather than a type of headache. Aim: This work has been done to elaborate the profile of migraine patients. Sociodemographic classification of migraine cases might help us to pinpoint the etiology and causative factors involved in the disorder and hence also the disease alleviating measures. Methodology: Subjects taken include patients presenting with history of chronic headache. They were diagnosed as migraine patients based on history, clinical and neurological profile and criteria as enumerated by the International Headache Society to diagnose migraine. All were outpatients attending an urban clinic in Punjab, but came from a variety of background. Patients underwent detailed clinical examination and neurological examination. Investigations like CT, MRI were done as required. Results: Majority of patients i.e. 41.8%, came from socioeconomic class III. 64.7% of patients were from rural areas. Majority were females in age group 21 to 30 years. The type of presentation most common was migraine without aura, followed by migraine with aura, tension type headache coexisting with migraine and transformed migraine. Conclusions: Adult females in age group 21 to 30 years from rural areas formed most of the cases. Socioeconomic status does not seem to play a significant role. This is a study exclusively focussing on migraine patients. Further supportive study with larger sample size will be more helpful in concluding the results pioneered by this study. It is also recommended that raising awareness about the clinical and neurological entity of migraine will also be a useful aspect as more patients will seek appropriate treatment.

Keywords: Headache, Migraine, Primary headache, Etiology of migraine, Prevention of migraine.