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Expert consensus defines key concepts in migraine research

Migraine research Migraine research
Migraine research Migraine research

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Experts have reached a consensus on precise definitions for key migraine-related concepts, including migraine-attributed burden, impact, disability, and quality of life.

With the aim to enhance clarity, consistency, and research in the field of migraine management and policy, experts have achieved unanimity in delineating fundamental terms associated with the burden, impact, disability, and quality of life in the context of migraines. These definitions are expected to have a profound impact on clinical management, epidemiological research, and health policy surrounding migraine. The debilitating condition of migraine impacts millions of individuals worldwide.

Understanding the terms associated with its impact on patients' lives is crucial for effective management and research. To achieve clarity and consensus on these terms, a team of experts embarked on a rigorous process. To arrive at a consensus, researchers conducted a comprehensive search in Embase and Medline, covering literature dating back to 1974 and 1946, respectively. This was followed by the usage of a Delphi process, involving multiple rounds of feedback and discussion among experts.

The experts discovered a significant lack of consistency in the terminology used across publications, leading to confusion in the field. After three rounds of the Delphi process, the following definitions were established:

  • Migraine-attributed burden: This is defined as "the cumulative impact of all negative effects resulting from the illness or its diagnosis."
  • Migraine-attributed impact: This term now refers to "the influence of the illness or its diagnosis on a specific aspect of an individual's life, health, or overall well-being."
  • Migraine-attributed disability: The experts have defined this as "the physical, cognitive, and mental limitations imposed by the disease."
  • Migraine-impacted quality of life: This term has been clarified as "the subjective evaluation by individuals with the disease of their overall well-being, status, and future prospects in life."

Each of the above definitions is supplemented by detailed descriptions to ensure clarity and precision. The newly established definitions and accompanying descriptions are expected to promote consistency in research, clinical practice, and policymaking related to migraine. This milestone is expected to improve patient care and facilitate the development of better measurement tools. 

Additionally, they are anticipated to facilitate the appropriate use of existing measurement tools and contribute to the development of new ones. This expert consensus represents a significant step forward in enhancing the understanding and management of migraine-related issues, ultimately improving the lives of those affected by this condition.

Source:

Cephalalgia

Article:

Migraine-attributed burden, impact and disability, and migraine-impacted quality of life: Expert consensus on definitions from a Delphi process

Authors:

Timothy J Steiner et al.

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