Associations of socioeconomic status with migraine and non-migraine headache

Abstract

Background: Migraine has been linked with several measures of socioeconomic status (SES). However, results are inconsistent and data on the association between SES and non-migraine headache, migraine subtypes and migraine frequency are sparse. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 36,858 participants in the Women’s Health Study. As proxy for SES, we calculated an SES index using annual household income and education. Migraine, migraine aura, and non-migraine headache were self-reported with good validation rates. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between the SES index and the various headache forms. Results: Of the women participating in the study, 12,140 (32.9%) reported any history of headache, 6801 (18.4%) reported any history of migraine and 5339 (14.5%) reported non-migraine headache. Women with low SES had an increased risk for all headache forms. The multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (ORs; 95% CI) were 1.22 (1.10–1.36) for non-migraine headache, 1.40 (1.28–1.54) for any migraine, 1.44 (1.23–1.69) for migraine with aura, and 1.38 (1.21–1.58) for migraine without aura. Among active migraineurs, low SES was associated with an increased OR for ≥weekly attack frequency (1.77, 1.26–2.49). Conclusions: In this large cohort of female health professionals, low SES was associated with an increased prevalence for all headache forms and an increased migraine attack frequency.