The Healthcare Cost of Migraine: A Retrospective Cohort Study from Alberta, Canada
Abstract
ABSTRACT Introduction: The economic burden of migraine is substantial; determining the cost that migraine imposes on the Canadian healthcare system is needed. Methods: Administrative data were used to identify adults living with migraine, including chronic migraine (CM) and episodic migraine (EM), and matched controls in Alberta, Canada. One- and two-part generalized linear models with gamma distribution were used to estimate direct healthcare costs (hospitalization, emergency department, ambulatory care, physician visit, prescription medication; reported in 2022 Canadian dollars) of migraine during a 1-year observation period (2017/2018). Results: The fully adjusted total mean healthcare cost of migraine (n = 100,502) was 1.5 times (cost ratio: 1.53 [95% CI: 1.50, 1.55]) higher versus matched controls (n = 301,506), with a predicted annual incremental cost of $2,806 (95% CI: $2,664, $2,948) per person. The predicted annual incremental cost of CM and EM was $5,059 (95% CI: $4,836, $5,283) and $669 (95% CI: $512, $827) per person, respectively, compared with matched controls. All healthcare cost categories were greater for migraine (overall, CM and EM) compared with matched controls, with prescription medication the primary cost driver (incremental cost – overall: $1,381 [95% CI: $1,234, $1,529]; CM: $2,057 [95% CI: %1,891, $2,223]; EM: $414 [95% CI: $245, $583] per person per year). Conclusion: Persons living with migraine had greater direct healthcare costs than those…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 301,506 participants or records.
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