Health-related quality of life in migraine and non-migraine elderly using EQ-5D visual analog scale and utility index values

Abstract

Background: The EQ-5D was used to compare the quality of life between the elderly with migraine and without migraine. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional survey of elderly participants was conducted in neurology clinics located in Tehran, Iran for a period of 2 years. The sample size was calculated as 186, including 63 migraine and 126 non-migraine groups. Mean EQ-5D scores were compared across groups using paired t-tests. We also compare the sociodemographic profiles of the 2 groups. Results: Apart from age, gender and occupation status there is no significant difference in marital status and education level between migraine and non-migraine groups. Mean EQ-5D scores were lower in elderly migraineurs. Moreover, there was a significant difference in all components of quality of life including mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression as well as health utility index between the two groups of elderly with and without migraine. Conclusion: Migraine patients had lower EQ-5D scores compared to the non-migraine group, however, the elderly reported lower quality of life in general.