Major sex differences in migraine prevalence among occupational categories: a cross-sectional study using UK Biobank

Abstract

Background Migraine represents one of the most prevalent neurological conditions worldwide. It is a disabling condition with high impact on the working situation of migraineurs. Interestingly, gender-related differences regarding an association of migraine with important occupational characteristics has been hardly studied. Methods The current study scrutinizes gender-specific differences in the prevalence of migraine across a broad spectrum of occupational categories, shedding also light on associations with important job-related features such as shift work, job satisfaction, and physical activity. The study included data from 415 712 participants from the UK Biobank cohort, using the official ICD10 diagnosis of migraine and other health conditions as selection criteria. Prevalence ratios of migraineurs compared to healthy controls among different occupational categories and job-related variables were estimated using log-binomial regression analyses. Statistical models were adjusted for important sociodemographic features such as age, BMI, ethnicity, education and neuroticism. To better highlight specific differences between men and women we stratified by sex. Results We detected a differential prevalence pattern of migraine in relation to different job categories between men and women. Especially in men, migraine appears to be more prevalent in highly physically demanding occupations (PR 1.38, 95% CI [0.93, 2.04]). Furthermore, migraine is also more prevalent in jobs that frequently involve shift or night shift work compared to healthy controls. Interestingly, this prevalence is especially high in women (shift work PR 1.45, 95% CI [1.14, 1.83], night shift work PR 1.46, 95% CI [0.93, 2.31]). Conclusion Our results show that migraine is genderdependently associated with physically demanding jobs and shift working.

Sex and gender differences in migraines: a narrative review

“…Since in Europe about 20% of the working population is involved in shift works, it appears evident the importance to understand shiftwork-related consequences on migraine [ 27 , 28 ]. It has been highlighted how shift work and night work act as a migraine trigger and exacerbator more in women than in men [ 29 ]. Furthermore, it is not only night shifts, but also fixed evening work that is associated with migraine: evening workers have 56% increased odds of treatment-seeking migraine compared with fixed day workers and this difference is most pronounced among older employees [ 30 ].…”

The Effects of Statins on Cognitive Performance Are Mediated by Low-Density Lipoprotein, C-Reactive Protein, and Blood Glucose Concentrations

“…At the baseline assessment, general information was collected on the touchscreen questionnaire. Ethnicity was recoded as white (British, Irish, or any other white background) versus non-white (ie, Mixed, Asian, or Asian British, Black or Black British, Chinese and another ethnic group) due to large majority of participants self-reporting as white ( 32 ). Education level was recoded from the education qualifications data as achieving college or university degree, as previously described ( 32 , 33 ).…”

“…Ethnicity was recoded as white (British, Irish, or any other white background) versus non-white (ie, Mixed, Asian, or Asian British, Black or Black British, Chinese and another ethnic group) due to large majority of participants self-reporting as white ( 32 ). Education level was recoded from the education qualifications data as achieving college or university degree, as previously described ( 32 , 33 ). Townsend deprivation index (TDI) was used as a proxy of socioeconomic status of the participant based on the area of residence at baseline.…”

Health equity, care access and quality in headache – part 1

“…Migraine disproportionately affects also those living in poorer social conditions in terms of prevalence and severity and result in higher stress due to exogenous factors such as personal and food insecurity, employment, poverty and poorer access to health care [ 87 , 88 ]. U.S. studies show that low-income or uninsured individuals who lack opportunities for proper medical care are more likely to develop medication overuse including opiates [ 89 ].…”