[Socio-economic impact of migraine and headaches in France].

The International Headache Society has defined a clear diagnostic guideline classifying headaches into three categories. It is now well known that headaches have a significant effect on the quality of life and the professional, school or family activities of individuals, and that the economic impact is far from negligible. An extensive survey drawn from a sample of 10 585 individuals in the French adult population was carried out in the last three months of 1999. The results showed a prevalence of 17.3% for migraine and nearly 30% for headaches. The average expenditure for a headache patient is about 220 Euro, divided as follows: 10% for GP consultations, 11% for laboratory evaluations, 17% for specialist consultations, 18% for drugs and 44% for hospital costs. But this breakdown depends largely on the headache category. Although the most acute headaches lead to the most severe deterioration of quality of life, professional or school activities are not affected in the same way.