The number of migraine patients receiving treatment in Poland is increasing, leading to higher healthcare costs and greater awareness of the chronic condition.
Rising Patient Numbers and Awareness
The number of patients accessing migraine treatment has increased, according to data from the National Health Fund (NFZ). In 2025, nearly 112,000 individuals received migraine treatment, compared to 108,600 in 2024 and 87,700 before the pandemic.
Experts attribute this rise to improved diagnostics and increased public awareness, with migraine increasingly recognized as a chronic neurological disease requiring ongoing treatment rather than a simple headache.
Gender Disparity and Increasing Male Patients
Women continue to represent the vast majority of migraine patients, accounting for almost 90%. However, the number of male patients seeking treatment is also growing.
In 2025, 11,600 men received medical care for migraine, compared to 11,300 in 2024 and 9,700 in 2019.
Growing Financial Burden on the NFZ
The increasing number of patients and the chronic nature of migraine are driving up costs for the NFZ. This presents a growing economic challenge for both patients and the healthcare system.
In 2025, the value of provided services reached over 26 million złoty, exceeding the previous year by over 1 million złoty. This is a significant increase from 7.1 million złoty in 2019.
Treatment Costs by Care Setting
The majority of patients (over 69,000) utilized primary care (POZ) services, followed by specialist outpatient care (AOS) with 39,700 patients, and hospital care with 2,100 patients.
However, specialist outpatient care (AOS) accounted for the highest costs, totaling 18.4 million złoty, while primary care services were refunded for nearly 2 million złoty less. Hospital treatment cost the system 7.3 million złoty.
Increased Use of Prophylactic Treatment
The number of patients accessing prophylactic treatment programs for chronic migraine is also increasing, according to NFZ data.
Chronic migraine is diagnosed when a patient experiences headaches for at least 15 days a month for a minimum of three consecutive months, with at least eight of those days being migraine days.
Diagnosis requires confirmation by a physician based on patient history, physical examination, medical documentation (including a headache diary for at least three months), and documentation of at least two attempts at prophylactic migraine treatment with different medications.
Program B.133 and Rising Enrollment
Program B.133, introduced in 2022, offers two lines of treatment: botulinum toxin type A (PREEMPT protocol) and anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies.
In the past year, 1,400 individuals benefited from prophylactic treatment, with a total value of over 1.5 million złoty, representing a 39.6% and 7.5% increase, respectively.
Doctor Fatima Olko, a neurologist involved in the program, attributes the growth to increased awareness among patients and doctors, but notes that reimbursement issues have led some centers to suspend accepting new patients.
Underdiagnosis and Untreated Cases
Experts emphasize that only 10% of individuals with chronic migraine have been diagnosed, and only 5% are receiving treatment.