A basic diagnostic headache diary (BDHD) is well accepted and useful in the diagnosis of headache. a multicentre European and Latin American study.
OBJECTIVE
We tested the usability and usefulness of the basic diagnostic headache diary (BDHD) for the diagnosis of migraine, tension-type headache and medication-overuse headache in European and Latin American countries.


METHODS
Patients were subdivided into two groups according to a 1:1 randomization list. Those in group 1 were sent the BDHD before their first visit to the headache centre and asked to complete it for at least 1 month. Those in group 2 made their first visit to the headache centre without receiving the BDHD.


RESULTS
A total of 626 patients from nine countries and 16 centres completed the study. The BDHD entries were complete in 97.5% of cases. BDHD information and clinical interview were, when taken together, considered complete for diagnosis in 97.7% of cases in group 1 whereas the information obtained by clinical interview alone in group 2 was considered complete in only 86.8% of cases (p < 0.001). The median number of diagnoses per patient in group 1 was significantly higher than in group 2 (p = 0.04). The BDHD was very well accepted by both patients and doctors.


CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded that the BDHD is a useful tool in the diagnostic assessment of the most frequent and disabling forms of primary headache and in headache management.
Glostrup Hospital, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
R
R
Jensen
C
C
Tassorelli
P
P
Rossi
M
M
Allena
V
V
Osipova
Tj
T
Steiner
G
G
Sandrini
J
J
Olesen
G
G
Nappi
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult