Outcome measures for migraine: Measuring the impact of migraine and results of migraine treatment.

ABSTRACT

The experience of migraine symptoms and the impacts of migraine on quality of life (QOL) are best reported by the person experiencing them. Therefore, patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures are often used to collect data about the experience and impact of migraine, and value of migraine treatments. PRO concepts that are assessed for the evaluation of migraine treatment outcomes are myriad and diverse (e.g., symptoms, impacts, satisfaction). The first step toward developing a precise strategy to evaluate the outcomes of a treatment is identifying WHAT to measure. This is followed by considerations around HOW to measure the concept. "Selecting What to Measure" section of this chapter discusses the important PRO concepts (WHAT) to measure the impact of migraine and to evaluate interventions for migraine. "Selecting How to Measure" section of this chapter focuses on HOW to collect data about these outcomes in the context of research to evaluate migraine treatments. PRO endpoints recommended in international migraine guidelines and examples of PRO measures that can be used for collecting data to support these endpoints are discussed. The final section of this chapter suggests considerations for selecting PRO measures for evaluating the impact of migraine and migraine treatments and for using these measures to collect data in clinical research.