The migraine It is a chronic and disabling neurological disorder that is known has high prevalence in Mexico, especially in women, but that unfortunately is not recognized as well as treated, and, therefore, many people who suffer from it remain without diagnosis or receive fragmented attention, facing barriers such as high personal costs, limited insurance coverage and difficult access to specialized services.
This shows an urgent need for migraine to be truly recognized as a disease for the salt system, and therefore that patients have timely diagnosis and equitable access to treatment. This was explained by the clinical neurologist with subspecialty in neurophysiology Martha García, medical leader of Migraine In the Pfizer Mexico pharmacist.
When presenting the survey conducted by the American Health Foundation (AHF), a non -profit organization based in Washington DC, which seeks to be a bridge between public and private sector in the search for solutions to face healthy barriers in Latin America, it was said that migraine affects more than 1,000 million people in the world and represents one of the main causes of disability.
And to document and have data of the situation in the region, the AHF developed a survey between February and August 2025, interviewing patients in seven countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chili, Colombia, Coast Rich, Mexico and Peru. The results revealed the challenges faced daily to obtain diagnosis, adequate treatment and quality of life.
The findings about migraine in Mexico
In the case of Mexico, the study found that 41.2% of participants with migraine are between 25 and 44 years old, that is, they are in a productive life stage generally the most active years of work, and 37.6% are over 55 years. 76% of the survey participants were women, confirming that it is the most affected group.
Regarding the duration of migraine episodes, it was detected that they vary considerably: while 15.1% last less than 4 hours, more than 44% report crises greater than 9 hours and 8.4% exceed 72 hours; For those who live migraine crisis for more than 9 hours, it would imply that they seriously impact their quality of life and productivity.
On the other hand, the survey also reflected the delay in which patients manage to be treated: a quarter (25.2%) of the participants waited more than five years to receive a diagnosis.
Another element that was seen in the study was presentism, since people continue working despite their Incapacitating migraine attacks: More than half of the participants (52.9%) claimed not to have lacked work in the last month. This, despite the fact that migraine seriously disturbs everyday life, since more than half of the participants affirm that leisure activities (57.9%) and daily tasks (53.8%) are often affected or always affected.
Naturally this situation derives in an emotional and psychological impact among those affected. According to the AHF report, 58% of patients often experience anger or frustration, and 39.5% experienced depression or sadness due to migraine.
In that context, a conclusion is that the migraine He seriously interrupts daily life, for more than 50% constantly affects their free time and daily tasks. However, more than half of the participants, 52.9% continue to work despite the pain.
Part of the problem is that there is little or no information about the options that exist to meet. In the survey it turned out that more than half had no idea; 52.1% felt little or nothing informed about migraine treatment options, which, said Dr. García, demonstrates the need for better education and guidance.
Most frequent symptoms
The most frequent and severe symptoms include Unilatera sharp painl (67.2%), Hypersensitivity to light and sound (73.1%) and prolonged attacks (64.7%), which were also qualified as serious in more than half of the cases.
Migraña attacks were frequent and disabling, as 35% experience between 1 and 3 attacks per month, and 26% have between 4 and 14 days with migraine per month.
Of the interviewees, 8% live with chronic migraine, facing headaches for 15 or more days a month.
Between 64 % and 73 % of the participants frequently reported or always of key symptoms such as prolonged headache, unilateral sharp pain and sensitivity to light or sound.
Early alert signs are frequent, 55% experience prodromic symptoms, but many continued to have difficulty identifying triggers.
7 out of 10 participants deal with the post -room effects (later symptoms such as fatigue, confusion and lack of concentration) after most attacks, which underlines a burden that is often overlooked in the care and management of migraine.
Of the Latin Americans interviewed, more than 25% took more than five years to obtain a diagnosis, and almost 28% still do not have one.
Moreover, a third of the participants felt dissatisfied with their current treatments for migraine and said they need better care options. Many also (43.7%) felt that their symptoms were minimized or ignored by health professionals before receiving a diagnosis, which reveals lack of greater awareness among health professionals.
On the limitations imposed by migraine in professional growth and performance, 37% of respondents claimed to have reduced their productivity and 9% were frequently lacking work.
