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Abstract Background We have previously found that almost two thirds (64.6%) of adults in Peru have an active headache disorder. Here, using data from the same sample, we present attributed burden at individual and population levels. We use these data to assess need for headache-related health care among this population. Methods We used the standard methodology of the Global Campaign against Headache. Cluster-sampling from five geographical regions of Peru (Cajamarca, Lima, Piura, Puno, San Martín) generated a sample representative of the population aged 18–65 years. At unannounced visits to households, we interviewed one adult from each using the HARDSHIP questionnaire. We assessed symptom burden in terms of headache frequency and usual duration and intensity, and impaired participation in paid work, household work and social or leisure activities using the HALT index. To assess need for health care, we counted all those with headache on ≥ 15 days/month (H15+), those with migraine on ≥ 3 days/month, and those with migraine or tension-type headache meeting either of two criteria: a) proportion of time in ictal state (pTIS) > 3.3% and intensity ≥ 2 (moderate-to-severe); b) ≥ 3 lost days from paid and/or household work during the preceding 3 months. We derived population-level estimates by factoring in prevalences. Results The sample size was N = 2,149. From individual data, we estimated population-level pTIS at 1.9–2.5%, this proportion of all time among adults in Peru being spent with headache, with migraine the greatest contributor (1.2%). At population level, headache was responsible for 0.5 days lost from paid work and 1.0 days from household work per person per 3 months, with migraine again the biggest contributor (0.2 and 0.5 days). However, at individual level, H15 + was associated with greatest burden (pTIS 14.9–24.9%; 2.3–4.5 lost workdays/3 months). A quarter of the sample (n = 590; 27.5%) fulfilled one or more of our health-care need criteria. Conclusion Headache disorders are responsible for high levels of ill health and economic burden in Peru, with a substantial requirement for health care. Health and economic policies balancing health benefits against the cost of providing care should take account of the productivity losses that might be recovered, and the expected cost-offset.

Abstract Background The Global Campaign against Headache is conducting a series of population-based studies to fill the large geographical gaps in knowledge of headache prevalence and attributable burden. One major region not until now included is South America. Here we present a study from Peru, a country of 32.4 million inhabitants located at the west coast of South America, notable for its high Andes mountains. Methods The study was conducted in accordance with the standardized methodology used by the Global Campaign. It was a cross-sectional survey using cluster randomised sampling in five regions to derive a nationally representative sample, visiting households unannounced, and interviewing one randomly selected adult member (aged 18–65 years) of each using the Headache-Attributed Restriction, Disability, Social Handicap and Impaired Participation (HARDSHIP) questionnaire translated into South American Spanish. The neutral screening question (“Have you had headache in the last year?”) was followed by diagnostic questions based on ICHD-3 and demographic enquiry. Results The study included 2,149 participants from 2,385 eligible households (participating proportion 90.1%): 1,065 males and 1,084 females, mean age 42.0 ± 13.7 years. The observed 1-year prevalence of all headache was 64.6% [95% CI: 62.5–66.6], with age-, gender- and habitation-adjusted prevalences of 22.8% [21.0-24.6] for migraine (definite + probable), 38.9% [36.8–41.0] for tension-type headache (TTH: also definite + probable), 1.2% [0.8–1.8] for probable medication-overuse headache (pMOH) and 2.7% [2.1–3.5] for other headache on ≥ 15 days/month (H15+). One-day prevalence of headache (reported headache yesterday) was 12.1%. Migraine was almost twice as prevalent among females (28.2%) as males (16.4%; aOR = 2.1; p 3,500 versus