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

BACKGROUND

Migraine-attributed burden, impact, disability and migraine-impacted quality of life are important concepts in clinical management, clinical and epidemiological research, and health policy, requiring clear and agreed definitions. We aimed to formulate concise and precise definitions of these concepts by expert consensus.

METHODS

We searched the terms migraine-attributed burden, impact, disability and migraine-impacted quality of life in Embase and Medline from 1974 and 1946 respectively. We followed a Delphi process to reach consensus on definitions.

RESULTS

We found widespread conflation of concepts and inconsistent terminology within publications. Following three Delphi rounds, we defined as "the summation of all negative consequences of the disease or its diagnosis"; as "the effect of the disease, or its diagnosis, on a specified aspect of life, health or wellbeing"; as "physical, cognitive and mental incapacities imposed by the disease"; and as "the subjective assessment by a person with the disease of their general wellbeing, position and prospects in life". We complemented each definition with a detailed description.

CONCLUSION

These definitions and descriptions should foster consistency and encourage more appropriate use of currently available quantifying instruments and aid the future development of others.