Disability and Economic Loss Caused by Headache among Information Technology Workers in Korea
Byung‐Kun Kim, Soo‐Jin Cho, Changsoo Kim, Fumihiko Sakai, David W. Dodick, Min Kyung Chu
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Headache disorders are a leading cause of disability globally. However, there is inadequate information available about these disorders and the related economic loss in the workplace in Asian countries. Information technology (IT) jobs are intellectually and cognitively challenging, and hence IT workers are a suitable population for assessing headache disorders and related economic loss. METHODS: We sent invitation emails to all employees of selected IT companies. A comprehensive Web-based questionnaire regarding headache characteristics, disability, quality of life, and economic loss was completed by 522 participants from 8 companies. RESULTS: <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Migraine, PM, and TTH were found to be prevalent among IT workers in Korea. Disability and economic loss were significantly greater in participants with migraine than in those with PM or TTH.