Table 1 Prevalence rate of migraine in various studies

 Stovner et al. [15]

Population-based studies were included if they applied the International Headache Society criteria for migraine and tension-type headache [16]. In addition, studies on headache in general and on chronic daily headache met the inclusion criteria as well.

107 studies (Africa 8; Asia 20; Australia-Oceania 4; Europe 48; North-America 14; Central & South America 13)

Globally, the percentages of the adult population with an active headache disorder are 46% for headache in general, 11% for migraine, 42% for tension-type headache and 3% for chronic daily headache. For Europe, in case of migraine the authors report current prevalence rate of 15% (range 10 to 25%, estimate based on 14 studies) and lifetime prevalence rate of 17% (range 12 to 28%, estimate based on 10 studies).

11% (globally)

15% (Europe)

 Stovner & Andrée [17]

Population-based studies of headache and migraine were included if they applied the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-1 or ICHD-2) for headache diagnosis. Only studies from Europe were reviewed.

33 studies (Europe)

The mean prevalence of current migraine among over 170,000 adults is 14.7% (8% in men and 17.6% in women). The lifetime prevalence rate is higher; 16% in adults (11% in man and 20% in women, respectively). If in addition to migraine without aura, migraine with aura, and probable migraine is also considered, the prevalence rate almost doubles.

14.7% (Europe)

 Woldea-manuel & Cowan [18]

Community or population-based non-clinical studies on headache met the inclusion criteria in different countries worldwide.

302 studies (worldwide)

The global migraine prevalence rate among 6,216,995 participants is 11.6%. The migraine prevalence rate is 10.4% in Africa, 10.1% in Asia, 11.4% in Europe, 9.7% in North America and 16.4% in South America. The migraine prevalence is 13.8% in females, 6.9% in males. The prevalence rate of migraine is 11.2% in urban residents, 8.4% in rural residents.

11.6% (globally)

11.4% (Europe)

 Katsarava et al. [19]

Cross-sectional questionnaire-based surveys were employed. In six countries (Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain), samples were population-based. In three countries (Austria, France, UK), general practitioners recruited consecutive patients visiting them for any reason. The sample in Ireland (and some additional samples in Spain and Netherlands) was recruited through lay organisations.

10 EU countries (Austria, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom)

Among 9247 participants (mean age 43.9 ± 13.9 years, male to female ratio 1:1.4), 3466 (37.6%) were diagnosed with migraine, either definite or probable. Of these, 1175 reported frequent migraine (>  5 days/month), representing 12.71% of the sample population. In population-based samples, minorities of participants with migraine had seen a general practitioner (9.5–18.0%) or specialist (3.1–15.0%), and smaller minorities received adequate treatment. Participants with migraine who had consulted specialists (3.1–33.8%) were receiving the best care; those treated by GPs (9.5–29.6%) fared less well, and those dependent on self-medication (48.0–84.2%) were, apparently, inadequately treated.

37.6% (Europe, definite or probable migraine)

12.71% (Europe, migraine on more than 5 days/month)

 Rastenytė et al. [20]

Cross sectional questionnaire-based surveys. The surveys were part of the Eurolight project using the same structured questionnaire in ten EU countries. The sample was population-based in Lithuania; adults in and around Kaunas were contacted. The sample reflected age (in range 18–65 years) and gender composition of Lithuania and proportions living in rural (33%) or urban (67%) areas. Participants were contacted by door-to-door cold-calling.

Lithuania

Based on 537 completed interviews, the gender-adjusted 1-year prevalence rates are 74.7% for any headache; 18.8% for migraine; 42.2% for tension-type headache; 8.6% for other headache on ≥15 days/month; and 3.2% for probable medication-overuse headache.

18.8% (Lithuania, definite or probable migraine)

 Katsarava et al. [19]

Cross sectional questionnaire-based surveys. The surveys were part of the Eurolight project using the same structured questionnaire in ten EU countries. The sample was population-based in Lithuania; adults in and around Kaunas were contacted. The sample reflected age (in range 18–65 years) and gender composition of Lithuania and proportions living in rural (33%) or urban (67%) areas. Participants were contacted by door-to-door cold-calling.

Lithuania

From the 616 respondents 149 (24.19%) were diagnosed with migraine, either definite or probable. (The survey did not distinguish between patients meeting criteria for definite migraine or probable migraine.) In Lithuania, 62 participants reported frequent migraine (>  5 days/month), which corresponds to 10.06% (62/616) prevalence rate of frequent migraine. These rates are the observed ones, without gender adjustments.

24.19% (Lithuania, definite or probable migraine)

10.06% (Lithuania, migraine on more than 5 days/month)

 Toom et al. [21]

Population-based random sample demographically

representative of the Estonian population; respondents from Tartu city and Tartu county.

The sample reflected gender, age (in range 18–65 years), marital status and educational level composition of Estonia, and proportions living in rural (37%) or urban (62%) areas. Telephone or face to face structured interviews.

Estonia

Among the 1215 respondents weighted one-year prevalence of migraine was 17.7%, either definite of probable. Weighted one-year prevalence of definite migraine, either episodic or chronic was 7.3%, while weighted one-year prevalence of probable migraine, either episodic or chronic was 10.4%.

17.7% all migraine;

16.8% episodic migraine (6.6% definite and 10.2% probable);

0.9% chronic migraine (0.7% definite and 0.2% probable)