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Migraine prevalence and treatment challenges

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2026-09-11 22:54 UTC → 2026-09-12 03:47 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Recent reports from Spain and Mexico highlight the significant public health burden and systemic challenges associated with migraine prevalence. In Spain, the Spanish Society of Neurology (SEN) previously reported that migraines affect 13.1% of the adult population, totaling over five million people. The SEN identified critical issues in management, noting that approximately 50% of sufferers engage in self-medication with over-the-counter analgesics and 12.7% use opioids. There is also a reported gap in preventive care; while 24.7% of patients may benefit from preventive treatments, only 9.5% receive them. The SEN criticized the Spanish Ministry of Health for maintaining financing criteria for anti-CGRP drugs that are stricter than those of the European Medicines Agency. A new epidemiological study by the SEN has updated these figures, stating that migraine now affects more than six million people in Spain, or approximately 13.1% of the adult population. The study notes a significant gender disparity, with women being affected 2.2 times more often than men (17.7% versus 8.2%). Migraine is identified as a leading cause of disability for individuals under 50, with 48.9% of patients experiencing some degree of disability and one in five suffering from severe disability. Additionally, nearly 40% of patients report moderate to severe depressive symptoms. The disease typically progresses through phases including premonitory symptoms, an ‘aura’ phase involving sensory changes, and an acute pain phase. In Mexico, a legislative forum titled ‘Migraine: A Silent Reality’ addressed the condition, which affects an estimated 20 million people. Experts noted that roughly 70% of sufferers are women, a demographic that often faces higher burdens due to pain being “normalized, dismissed, or attributed to gender prejudices.” ~~Senator Emmanuel Reyes Carmona called for improved diagnosis, expanded treatment access, and increased research to address the social and professional stigmas linked to the disease.~~

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