Migraine Knowledge, Prevalence, Triggers and Influence on Inter-University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Migraine is a chronic neurological disorder marked by recurrent, unilateral, pulsing headaches that severely hinder the everyday activities and academic performance of university students. This community-based cross-sectional study, carried out during the 2025–2026 academic year among 690 students in Lahore, Pakistan, employed International Headache Society (IHS) criteria and the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) score for evaluation. The study identified a migraine prevalence of 25.2%, accompanied by a significant headache burden. The predominant symptoms seen during attacks were pulsating headache and unilateral headache. Recognized triggers were weariness and sleep loss, whereas the primary treatment strategies involved sleeping and wrapping the head with cloth. Notwithstanding the significant prevalence, 74.8% of students were oblivious to their migraine experiences. Additionally, 56.8% of individuals with migraines experienced moderate to severe disability (MIDAS Grade III/IV), and 23.4% (162/690) necessitated hospitalization. The study reveals that migraine is common but significantly underdiagnosed among university students, adversely impacting their productivity and quality of life. It is advisable to implement campus-based screening measures and awareness activities to promote early diagnosis and management.