Single‐item migraine screening tests, self‐reported bothersome headache or stripe pattern hypersensitivity?. (1st December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yuan, H.; Hopkins, M.; Goldberg, J. D.; Silberstein, S. D.
• Is Part Of: Acta neurologica Scandinavica. Volume 134:Number 4(2016:Oct.)
• Page Start: 277
• Page End: 283
• Publication Date: 2015-12-01
• Subjects: migraine -- stripe sensitivity -- screening; Neurology -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1111/ane.12539
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-6314

Abstract

Abstract : Background: A simple screening tool may potentially help the migraine diagnosis in a primary care setting. The use of single‐item tests, such as stripe pattern hypersensitivity test and self‐reported bothersome headache (HA) question, as migraine screening tools have not been fully explored. Methods: Two hundred and fifty‐four subjects (patients and companions) were randomly enrolled from an OB/GYN clinic (men 82, women 172; age 38 ± 14). They were instructed to rate the stripe sensitivity level (0–4) and to report any bothersome HA (yes/no). A brief structured HA interview was conducted to describe the HA characteristics and for migraine diagnosis based on the ICHD‐III β criteria. Results: In a multivariate model, bothersome HA question and stripe pattern hypersensitivity test were both significantly associated with EM+PM+CM (odds ratio: 24.0, P < 0.01 vs 2.6, P = 0.01) or EM (odds ratio: 16.2, P < 0.01 vs 3.0, P < 0.01). Bothersome HA question had a greater screening power than stripe pattern hypersensitivity for screening EM+PM+CM (area under the ROC curve: 0.84 [95% CI 0.78–0.89] vs 0.62 [95% CI 0.55–0.69]) or EM (area under the ROC curve: 0.80 [95% CI 0.73–0.86] vs 0.64 [95% CI 0.56–0.72]). Conclusion: When performed in an OB/GYN clinic, self‐reported bothersome HA question seemed more powerful than visual stripe pattern test in screening migraine thus could potentially be used as a single‐item screening test.