Factors Associated with Migraine Attack Duration in Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Migraine is a prevalent neurological disorder with attacks lasting 4-72 hours. This study assessed 694 patients meeting ICHD-3 migraine criteria. Participants were divided into short, medium, and long attack duration groups. Among the patients, 33% experienced short attacks, 28% had medium, and 39% experienced long attacks. Longer attacks were linked to older age and higher female ratios. Lower educational levels were also associated with prolonged attacks. Patients suffering from long-duration migraines reported greater pain intensity and more frequent nausea. They also had higher allodynia scores, indicating increased sensitivity to pain. The study found that older age and higher pain intensity were independently associated with long-duration attacks. Meanwhile, lower educational levels and higher pain intensity were linked to medium-duration attacks. Overall, attack duration is associated with different demographic and clinical characteristics, suggesting that it may be a significant clinical phenotype for migraine classification. Clinical relevance: Understanding the factors influencing migraine attack duration can enhance patient management and treatment strategies.