Quality of life and its predictors among patients with migraine in Qassim region, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Migraine attacks can last for hours to days with severe pain which can affect the daily activities. Literature on quality of life of migraineurs is Saudi Arabia is scarce. This study aimed to assess the quality of life and its predictors among patients with migraine in Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with migraines in Qassim, Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed online among migraine patients that included; socio-demographic characteristics and an Arabic version of validated migraine-specific quality of life questionnaire (MSQ), version 2.1. Data analyses were performed in SPSS version 26. Results A total of 320 patients with migraines participated in the study. The most common age group was 18–25 years (36.6%) with females were dominant (60.9%). According to the results of MSQ version 2.1, the mean ± SD scores of Role Restrictive (RR), Role Preventive (RP), and Emotion Function (EF) were 67.7 ± 19.7, 68.5 ± 20.6, and 70.6 ± 22.1, respectively. Statistical tests revealed that patients who reported less frequent migraine attacks, had better scores in RR, RP, and EF, while the use of paracetamol and painkillers for the treatment of headache were associated with lower scores in RR, RP, and EF. Conclusions The quality of life among patients with migraines was generally moderate. Males demonstrated better QOL than females. Furthermore, patients who had less frequent migraine attacks exhibited better QOL than the others but working patients were likely to demonstrate poor QOL.

Quality of life in patients with migraine

“…Third, as the distribution of the questionnaire was mainly online, we assume that higher female participation in the study may also be related to higher activity of women on social networks, as reported by Dermitzakis et al (2023). Concerning the sex variable, our results are comparable to those of AlHarbi and AlAteeq (2020) and Almosaiteer et al (2022).…”

“…The headache is accompanied by vegetative symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, photophobia, or phonophobia. Other symptoms, such as cognitive dysfunction, feelings of facial pressure, visual and thermoregulatory disorders, muscle stiffness or spasms, dizziness, or emotional imbalance may also be present (Almosaiteer et al, 2022;Klečka, 2019;Nežádal, 2019;Vacca, 2019). The fourth postdrome phase begins after the end of the attack, with the manifestation of fatigue, a feeling of exhaustion and relief (Novotná, 2019;Speck et al, 2019).…”

Sexual dysfunction in migraine-affected women: A prospective cross-sectional controlled study

“…Gender was significantly correlated with migraine prevalence (odds ratio = 0.28) [11] . Its prevalence in females is 61.8 % with great effects on quality of life, productivity, and rising healthcare costs [15] .…”