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Migraine Prevalence, Environmental Risk, and Comorbidities in Men and Women Veterans

Gasperi M, Schuster NM, Franklin B, Nievergelt CM, Stein MB, Afari N

JAMA network open, 2024

Abstract

IMPORTANCE: Migraine is a prevalent and debilitating condition that substantially impacts quality of life. Investigating migraine prevalence, associated comorbidities, and potential military service exposures in veterans, focusing on gender differences, is crucial for targeted interventions and management strategies.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of migraine, associated health comorbidities, and potential military service and environmental exposures among men and women US veterans using a large-scale epidemiological sample from the Million Veteran Program (MVP).

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cross-sectional study analyzed self-report survey data from the MVP, a large epidemiological sample of US veterans that was started in 2011 and has ongoing enrollment. Eligible participants were selected from the MVP database in 2023. The study included 491 604 veterans to examine migraine prevalence, health comorbidities, demographic characteristics, military service history, and environmental exposures. Data were analyzed from December 2022 to July 2023.

EXPOSURES: Military service and environmental factors, such as chemical or biological warfare exposure, were considered.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was migraine prevalence among men and women veterans, assessed through self-reported diagnoses. Secondary outcomes included the association between migraine and health comorbidities, demographic characteristics, military service history, and…

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Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause.

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