OBJECTIVES Migraine is a disabling neurologic condition associated with a high social and economic burden, affecting patients’ ability to perform their work and Daily Activities (DA). Objective: To describe the impact of migraine on work productivity and daily activities reported by Chilean patients according to a self-reported survey that included the WPAI questionnaire, and to determine key drivers for indirect costs from a global sample.

METHODS A worldwide descriptive study was conducted based on the application of a self-reported survey including the WPAI questionnaire. Eligible patients met clinical migraine criteria in 31 countries: 90% must have received ≥1 preventive treatment (PT) and 80% of those ≥2 PT. The WPAI results were compared among patients without PT, without PT failure (PTF), with one PTF or ≥2 PTF.

RESULTS The survey was applied to 11,266 patients globally, including 360 Chilean (3.2%). Of these Chilean cases, 18.3% needed a medical leave in the past year due to migraine. 201 (55.8%) currently employed-patients and that report active labor within the last seven days answered the WPAI questionnaire. They reported 44.1% reductions on their productivity while working (presenteeism), 48.2% impairment on overall work productivity (absenteeism and presenteeism), 46.9% on DA and an 11% effect on working-time (absenteeism) due to migraine. Sub-groups analysis showed that migraine affects all the domains of the WPAI questionnaire, with the most significant impact observed in patients with PT in comparison with those without PT, except for DA where the impact was higher in patients without PT.

CONCLUSIONS Migraine carries relevant impairments on work productivity, as well as impairment on DA. These findings highlight the social and economic burden that should be considered when assessing future health interventions.