[Primary headaches: a diagnostic approach by non-neurologist doctors].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the knowledge of diagnostic and posture of non-neurologist doctors concerning primary headaches.


METHODS
91 doctors were asked to diagnose and establish procedures on three patient histories presenting clinic characteristics of migraine without aura (MA), chronic tension-type headache (CTTH) and migraine with aura (MO), according to the International Classification of Headaches-2nd Edition (CIC-II).


RESULTS
MSA: Two professionals (2.2%) were accurate in their diagnostic, 54 (59.3%) said it was migraine but did not specify the subtype. CTTC: 15 doctors (16.5%) diagnosed tension-type headache but did not specify the subtype. MCA: 26 (28.6%) said it was migraine, and only one doctor (1.1%) was right about the subtype. Sixteen doctors (17.6%) said to be aware of CIC-II.


CONCLUSIONS
Most of non-neurologist doctors do not know the diagnostic criteria used to diagnose and to classify the most frequent forms of primary headaches.
Galdino
Gilma Serra
GS
Departamento de Fisioterapia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Rua Montevidéu 720/902, 58102-108 Campina Grande, PB, Brazil. gilmagaldino@hotmail.com
Paz e Albuquerque
Tales Iuri
TI
Medeiros
Jovany Luís Alves de
JL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D051270:Headache Disorders, Primary / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000592:standards*; D018781:Tension-Type Headache / Q000175:diagnosis