Boston, Mass. May 3, 2007 -- Migraines take a toll on employers as well up to $28.7 billion in annual direct and indirect healthcare costs can be attributed to migraine-related losses in productivity. Data presented today at the 59th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) in Boston, Mass., reinforced the benefit for employers to acknowledge and assess the impact of migraine to potentially improve workplace productivity. The data also suggested workers consider potential treatment options that may help them prevent or reduce the frequency of migraine attacks.
The first of three analyses sponsored by Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, Inc. found that employers who actively screen for migraine may help identify those undiagnosed with the condition. The researchers also evaluated the total burden of migraine in the workplace and found that more than 50 percent of the migraine sufferers surveyed experienced moderate to severe disability due to the condition, often affecting job performance and leading to missed workdays. The third analysis examined the impact of preventive treatment on workers who suffer from frequent migraines and suggested that use of TOPAMAX (topiramate) may lead to fewer missed workdays and improve workplace productivity.
"Migraine can have a significant impact in the workplace," said study investigator Jennifer Lofland, PharmD, MPH, Ph.D., project director, Department of Health Policy, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University.
"If migraine can be effectively managed during the workday, it may lead to cost savings for employers over the long run. One approach patients may want to consider is taking a preventive medication to help reduce the frequency of migraine attacks and potentially lead to more migraine-free days."
Screening for Migraine in the Workplace
Researchers determined that the use of a brief, online screener may help to detect those undiagnosed for migra
'"/>
Contact: Christy Hummel
chummel@golinharris.com
312-729-4179
Ortho-McNeil Neurologics
3-May-2007