Comorbidities and healthcare utilization rates among migraine patients compared to matched controls: Real-world data

Introduction Migraine is associated with comorbidities and greater healthcare resource utilization (HCRU). We investigated comorbidity rates and HCRU among Leumit Health Services (LHS) members diagnosed with migraine versus matched controls. Methods This electronic health record (EHR)-based retrospective study included adult LHS members with a migraine diagnosis between 2017 and 2022 (migraine cohort), and matched-controls drawn from the LHS EHR. HCRU was evaluated for 2022. Results The cohorts included 18,527 subjects each (both 78.7% female; mean age, 45.8 ± 14.8 years). Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs), and valvular disorders were more prevalent in the migraine cohort (TIA, 0.55% vs. 0.30%; CVA, 1.8% vs. 1.3%; valvular disorders, 2.8% vs. 1.8%; all P < 0.001), whereas myocardial infarction was less frequent (1.0% vs. 1.2%; P = 0.015). Hypertension was more prevalent (23.5% vs. 19.9%, P < 0.001), whereas diabetes (10.0% vs. 12.1%, P < 0.001) and chronic kidney disease (0.92% vs. 1.2%, P = 0.028) were less common. All evaluated inflammatory/autoimmune and pain-related/neurological disorders were significantly more prevalent among migraine patients; cancer rates were similar. HCRU was significantly greater among migraine patients, with higher proportions having ≥1 visit to a general practitioner (93.7% vs. 85.4%), neurologist (57.4% vs. 22.1%), pain specialist (12.0% vs. 3.4%), and the emergency department (17.3% vs. 11.2%) (all P < 0.001). Migraine patients were also more likely to request approval for sick days (28.0% vs. 15.7%, P < 0.001). Conclusions Compared to matched controls, migraine was associated with significantly higher rates of multiple comorbidities and substantially increased HCRU, reflecting both clinical and societal burden.