OVERCOME Study Shows Migraine Improvement Cuts Disability and Work Loss

A longitudinal population study (OVERCOME) followed 11,634 adults with migraine for one year. At follow‑up, 40.4% of participants were classified as overall improved, 24.1% as worsened and 35.5% showed no net change.

Those in the improved group reported fewer monthly headache days, lower scores on the Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS), better scores on the Migraine‑Specific Quality‑of‑Life Questionnaire Role Function Restrictive (MSQ‑RFR), reduced activity impairment, lower presenteeism and overall productivity loss, and less migraine‑related stigma. Medication use also declined, with fewer acute medication overuse cases.

Conversely, participants whose migraine status worsened experienced more headache days, higher MIDAS and lower MSQ‑RFR scores, greater interictal burden, poorer emotional functioning, increased work productivity loss, and higher demand for both acute and preventive treatments.