The global burden of migraine

Migraine is a highly prevalent headache disorder that has a substantial impact on the individual and on society. Over the past decade, substantial advances in research have increased understanding of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, epidemiology, and treatment of the disorder. This article reviews the burden of migraine, emphasizing population-based studies that used standardized diagnostic criteria. We highlight descriptive epidemiology, burden of disease, patterns of diagnosis and treatment, as well as approaches to improving health care delivery for migraine.