Abstract text (incl. figure legends and references)

Objective: To study the prevalence, disease profile, and disease burden of migraine patients in India using an internet-based survey.

Methods: This is the second part of an internet-based survey using a structured questionnaire conducted from 27th April to 31st July 2020. The first part assessed the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on Indian migraine patients(1). Persons aged 18 years and above were invited to participate. Previously known migraine patients being treated by physicians or those fulfilling 2 out of 3 criteria (limitation of activities for a day or more, associated nausea or vomiting, and photophobia or phonophobia) were diagnosed as migraine patients.

Results: 5694 persons registered and 4078 completed the full survey. Migraine was diagnosed in 984 (24.1%) participants [(635 females); mean age 35.32 ±11.16]. The mean migraine days per month was 7.24±5.84 (median=5; range=0.5-30). 109 (11.1%) had ≥ 15 headache days per month. Moderate to severe pain was reported by 923 (93.8%). Acute drug treatment was used by 877(89.1%) and 10.9% used non-pharmacological measures. Preventive medications were used by 569 (57.8%). Of patients who required preventive medications (≥ 4 attacks per month),18.5% did not receive them. Headache yesterday was reported by 571 (58%). 52% were willing to spend from INR 1000 to 10000 (13.6 USD to 136 USD) per month to cure their headaches completely.

Conclusion: Approximately 1 out of 4 persons suffers from migraine in India. More than half of the migraine patients have a significant burden as reflected by their willingness to pay for its cure.

Reference:

1. Chowdhury D, Krishnan A, Duggal A, Datta D, Mundra A, Deorari V, Tomar A, Koul A. An Internet-based study on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic-related lockdown on migraine in India. Acta Neurol Scand. 2021;144(6):706-716.