Migraine, a silent disease: Patients suffer without an accurate diagnosis in Mexico.

MEXICO CITY (EFE).— Migraine, a chronic and debilitating neurological disorder that affects more than 1 billion people worldwide, remains underrecognized and undertreated, despite being among the leading causes of disability, a survey by the American Health Foundation (AHF) revealed.

In Latin America, and particularly in Mexico, the impact is severe.

The disease disrupts patients' work, education, and general well-being, especially during their most productive years.

“Despite its high prevalence, especially in women, many people remain undiagnosed or receive fragmented care,” said Dr. Martha García, medical leader of Migraine at Pfizer Mexico.

The survey, conducted between February and August 2025 in seven countries in the region, documented the experiences of patients with moderate to severe migraines.

In Mexico, data show that 76% of participants were women, the majority of whom were working. “The fact that a quarter waited more than five years for a diagnosis reflects the urgency of improving early detection,” Dr. García emphasized.

Episodes vary in duration: 44% reported crises lasting more than nine hours, and 8.4% reported more than 72 hours.

Furthermore, 28% of patients have yet to receive a formal diagnosis. "This delay results in high personal costs, limited insurance coverage, and difficult access to specialized services," the specialist added.

The impact on productivity is clear. Although 52.9% of patients continued working during the attacks, a phenomenon known as presenteeism, 37% reported reduced performance, and 9% reported frequent absences.

"It's a vicious cycle: patients work through pain, but they perform less well, and that also affects their employers," the doctor noted.

In everyday life, the impact is profound: 57.9% reported limitations in leisure activities, 53.8% in daily tasks, and seven out of ten suffer subsequent symptoms such as fatigue or lack of concentration.

Additionally, 58% reported frustration or anger, while 39.5% acknowledged depression or sadness. The study revealed treatment gaps: 52.1% of patients felt little or not at all informed about their treatment options, and one in three expressed dissatisfaction with the care they received.

“43.7% said their symptoms were minimized or ignored before receiving a diagnosis, which generates distrust in the healthcare system,” explained Dr. García.

Finally, the report calls for strengthening medical training and creating support networks.

“Migraine isn't invisible to those who experience it, but the patient's journey is long and filled with stereotypes. We need to transform this knowledge into actions that recognize the condition as a debilitating disease with real impacts on people's lives,” García concluded.