OBJECTIVES: Migraine is a common disease, which has a significant impact on patients’ lives. The aim of this study was to quantify the socioeconomic burden of migraine in Czech Republic from the patient’s, payer’s and societal perspectives.

METHODS: Data were collected directly from patients in a cross-sectional survey. Sociodemographic, clinical and economic data, as well as information from standardized questionnaires (WPAI, EQ-5D, HIT-6, MPFID, CUXOS, CUDOS) were collected. The target population consisted of patients with at least 4 migraine days per month (indication limitation for preventive targeted therapy in biological treatment centers).

The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics. The costs associated with lost productivity were estimated using the average hourly wage including all deductions.

RESULTS: A total of 147 patients completed the survey. The mean age of respondents was 40 years, 140 respondents were women (95.2%). The majority of respondents (109; 74.1%) were economically active. A high percentage of patients experienced depressive (65.3%) and anxious feelings (77.6%); 46.9% had migraine-related comorbidities. The mean EQ-5D utility of surveyed patients was 0.712.

On average, respondents experienced 15.5 migraine episodes per month. The mean duration of episode equalled 10.9 hours in patients with medication and 33.3 hours in patients without medication.

Work impairment (WPAI) due to migraine was 42.8% (absenteeism 11.9%, presenteeism 39.1%). The average impairment of non-work activities was 46.5%. The total average annual cost of productivity loss was 13,500 EUR/patient (absenteeism 4,080 EUR/patient/year, presenteeism 10,114 EUR/patient/year).

CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate a significant social and economic impact on patients suffering from migraine and on society as a whole in Czech Republic. Migraine significantly reduces the quality of life, limits everyday life functioning, and strongly impairs patients’ ability to work.