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Headache

Headache Disorders Remain a Significant Health Burden Across Europe

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research has shown that headache disorders, including migraine and tension-type headache (TTH), are among the most prevalent and disabling neurological conditions globally. A recent study from Ewha Womans University College of Medicine analyzed data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, covering 45 European countries, to evaluate temporal changes, demographic disparities, and socio-geographic variation in the burden of headache disorders across Europe.

Key Takeaways:

  • The number of individuals with headache disorders in Europe rose from 345.0 to 370.6 million between 1990 and 2021, although age-standardized prevalence remained stable.
  • The burden of migraine slightly increased, with age-standardized DALY rates rising from 648.35 to 657.27 per 100,000 population.
  • Women and individuals aged 30 to 44 years consistently exhibited the highest burden, particularly for migraine.
  • Higher SDI scores were positively correlated with DALY rates for migraine but negatively correlated for TTH.
  • The study found a minor decline in both prevalence and DALY rates for TTH.
  • The study concluded that regionally targeted strategies are essential to reduce disability and improve outcomes across diverse European populations.

Specific programs or initiatives mentioned in the study include the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, Institute of Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation, BK21 FOUR (Fostering Outstanding Universities for Research) funded by the Ministry of Education (MOE, Korea), and National Research Foundation of Korea.

Statistics:

  • The number of individuals with headache disorders in Europe rose from 345.0 to 370.6 million between 1990 and 2021.
  • Age-standardized prevalence remained stable during the same period.
  • Age-standardized DALY rates for migraine rose from 648.35 to 657.27 per 100,000 population.
  • The number of individuals with TTH declined by 25% between 1990 and 2021.
  • Women and individuals aged 30 to 44 years consistently exhibited the highest burden, particularly for migraine.

Sources:

  • "Trends in the Burden of Headache Disorders in Europe, 1990-2021: A Systematic Analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021." Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2025;14(19):6966. Published by Mdpi, St Alban-Anlage 66, Ch-4052 Basel, Switzerland.
  • "Researchers from Ewha Womans University College of Medicine Report Recent Findings in Headache (Trends in the Burden of Headache Disorders in Europe, 1990-2021: A Systematic Analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021)." Health & Medicine Week. October 31, 2025; p 6484.

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