Global prevalence of chronic migraine: A systematic review

This review aimed to summarize studies on chronic migraine (CM) prevalence. Researchers conducted a systematic search for relevant population-based studies. Sixteen publications were accepted, representing twelve studies. None of these studies provided data on CM incidence. The reported prevalence of CM ranged from 0% to 5.1%. Most estimates fell between 1.4% and 2.2%. Seven studies applied Silberstein-Lipton criteria, with prevalence ranging from 0.9% to 5.1%. Three estimates focused on migraines occurring 15 days or more monthly. These showed prevalence from 0% to 0.7%. Additionally, prevalence varied by World Health Organization region and gender. The review highlighted the variability among studies and the lack of data from specific regions. This leaves an incomplete understanding of CM prevalence. Future research should utilize a consensus diagnosis from the International Classification of Headache Disorders for better epidemiological studies. Clinical relevance: This research highlights the need for standardized diagnoses to improve chronic migraine prevalence understanding.