title: The usefulness and applicability of a basic headache diary before first consultation: results of a pilot study conducted in two centres.
abstract: We tested the usefulness and applicability of a simplified headache diary in the diagnosis of migraine (M), tension-type headache (TTH) and medication overuse headache (MOH). The diary was given to headache patients before their first consultation at the headache centre. Seventy-six naive headache patients completed the study. Their understanding of the diary proved highly satisfactory. The patients' level of compliance was also good, with 71% returning the diary completely filled in. The data entered in the diary were deemed complete for the diagnostic purpose in 93% of cases. The level of agreement between headache information gathered through clinical interview and the headache diary was satisfactory. When comparing the diary with the clinical interview, sensitivity was 92% for M, 75% for TTH and MOH. Specificity was 58% for M and TTH, 87% for MOH. Combined use of a diagnostic diary and clinical interview is recommended from the first consultation for headache.
authors.affiliation: University Centre for the Study of Adaptive Disorders and Headache (UCADH), IRCCS 'C. Mondino Institute of Neurology' Foundation, Pavia, Italy. cristina.tassorelli@mondino.it
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tassorelli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sances
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Allena
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ghiotto
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bendtsen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Olesen
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nappi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jensen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D018781:Tension-Type Headache / Q000175:diagnosis*; D055815:Young Adult