Disability and migraine: MIDAS

Migraine is an heterogeneous disorder. Most patients are disabled both in work and in non-work activities. Different instruments to assess migraine-related disability have been developed. Among these, the migraine disability assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire is the most studied. Population-based studies have shown that MIDAS is a simple but reliable and scientifically sound instrument. This instrument improves patient-physician communication. It can help healthcare professionals to understand migraine severity in individual patients, and rapidly assess treatment needs (screening instrument). Furthermore, reduction in headache-related disability is a major goal of migraine treatment. Change in MIDAS score after treatment intervention may be a useful end point, both in everyday practice and in clinical trials. Ongoing studies will confirm the potential of MIDAS as a valid outcome measure.