Migraine and related burden among employees of participating enterprises in China: a cross-sectional study

Migraine imposes a substantial burden on working-age populations, but evidence on migraine burden of industry category among enterprise employees remains limited. This study aimed to describe the proportion of employees meeting migraine criteria and migraine-related burden in a convenience sample of participating enterprises, and to explore their associations with industry category and measured work- and sleep-related characteristics. This cross-sectional study included 10,592 full-time employees, recruited from participating enterprises across 19 industry categories using multistage convenience sampling. Migraine was identified using the HARDSHIP questionnaire and clinical assessment according to ICHD-3 criteria. Sociodemographic factors, industry category, work schedule, sleep-related factors, migraine characteristics, disability, productivity loss, healthcare use, economic burden, coping behaviors, and social support were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with migraine. Among 10,592 employees, 2,792 participants met the study criteria for migraine, corresponding to an observed proportion of 26.36% in the analytic sample. The observed proportions differed across industry categories represented by the participating enterprises. Industry group was associated with migraine status after adjustment for the prespecified covariates. Insomnia frequency and later bedtime were consistently associated with higher observed migraine proportions across work-schedule groups, whereas patterns for night-shift frequency and working hours varied by work schedule. Participants with migraine reported substantial productivity loss, including reduced work efficiency, night-shift interruption, cancelled work-related activities, and limitations in family activities. Psychological distress, coping behaviors, and perceived social support also differed across industry category. Migraine represents an important occupational health concern among employees of participating enterprises, with its observed distribution and burden varying across occupational and work-schedule contexts. Workplace programs should integrate migraine recognition, access to care, sleep-health promotion, and appropriate scheduling accommodations. Prospective representative studies with detailed occupational exposures and clinical covariates are needed to confirm these associations and evaluate targeted interventions.