The Public’s Perception of Interventions for Migraine Headache Disorders: A Crowdsourcing Population-Based Study

Why this matters

Migraine headaches affect 15.6% of the U.S. population (approximately 50 million Americans). This work contributes to evidence-based plastic and reconstructive surgery — helping clinicians interpret outcomes, refine technique, and counsel patients with clearer data.

Author

Dr. Orr Shauly

Plastic and reconstructive surgery resident at Emory University (UCLA BS, USC MD) with an h-index of 15 and peer-reviewed work spanning aesthetic surgery, reconstruction, medical devices, and AI in medicine.

Abstract

Migraine headaches affect 15.6% of the U.S. population (approximately 50 million Americans). Individuals aged 35–44 reported the fewest migraines, averaging 2.73 per month, with the lowest severity. In contrast, those aged 45+ experienced the most severe headaches, with a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score of 44.23 mm. The highest migraine frequency and severity were observed in households with an annual income of $75,000–$100,000. Among treatment options, the lowest utility scores for adverse outcomes from injection therapy were related to hematoma (47.60 mm) and vertigo (54.40 mm). Physicians offering surgical or minimally invasive treatments should address patient concerns regarding clinical outcomes and treatment costs.