Headache-attributed burden and its impact on productivity and quality of life in Russia: structured healthcare for headache is urgently needed

Background and purpose The study evaluated headache‐attributed burden and its impact on productivity and quality of life (QoL) in Russia. Its purpose was to support recommendations for change. Methods A countrywide population‐based random sample of 2725 biologically unrelated adults (aged 18–65 years) in 35 cities and nine rural areas of Russia were interviewed in a door‐to‐door survey. The structured questionnaire enquired into symptom burden, functional disability, lost productive time and QoL (applying the WHOQoL‐8 question set), as well as willingness to pay (WTP) for adequate headache treatment, if it were available. Results Mean lost paid‐work days due to headache in the previous 3 months were 1.9 ± 4.2, and mean lost household work days were 3.4 ± 5.7. The estimated annual indirect cost of primary headache disorders was USD 22.8 billion, accounting for 1.75% of gross domestic product. QoL was reduced by all types of primary headaches. According to WHOQoL‐8, it was significantly lower in those with headache on ≥15 days/month than in those with episodic headache (24.7 ± 4.6 vs. 28.1 ± 5.0; P