Objectives: To determine the impact of migraine headaches on health-related quality of life among
Canadian adolescents.
Methods: The Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) is a cross-sectional survey that collects
information related to health status, health care utilization, and health determinants
for the Canadian population. Our analysis was based on the public use microdata set
of the CCHS, Cycle 2.1 (2003), limited to age 12–19 years residing in the province
of Manitoba. Respondents reported whether they had migraine and mood and/or anxiety
disorders. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) was measured using the SF-36 Health
survey. The SF-36 questionnaire covers 8 health concepts related to functional status,
well-being, and overall evaluation of health. Multivariate linear regression analysis
was used to model each scale of the SF-36 against age (12–14y versus 15–19y), gender,
migraine status, and the presence of a mood or anxiety disorder. Results: The CCHS was completed by 994 respondents. 9.3% (95%CI 7.3, 11.5) reported a diagnosis
of migraine. Reported migraine predicted both statistically (p<0.0001) and clinically
significant lower HRQOL scores in all SF-36 health domains (Ä >5 points), except the
vitality dimension. Migraine was associated with profound impairment in the domains
of physical role limitations, bodily pain and general health perceptions. Adolescents
reporting a mood disorder (2.1%) scored significantly lower in 6 of 8 HRQOL, most
pronounced for emotional role limitations, general mental health and social functioning.
Those with anxiety disorders (1.8%), scored lower in 2 of 8 domains.
Conclusion: Canadian adolescents with migraine report clinically and statistically significant
impairment in HRQOL compared to their peers, independent of psychiatric comorbidities.
