Assessing disability using the migraine disability assessment questionnaire

The World Health Organization defines disability as the consequences of illness on ability to work, and ability to function in work and nonwork activities. For migraine, disability is the major determinant of the cost of illness. The most frequently used disability instrument in headache research is the migraine disability assessment questionnaire. Migraine disability assessment consists of questions that focus on lost time in three domains: school work or work for pay; household work or chores; and family, social and leisure activities. All questions ask about either days of missed activity or days where productivity was reduced by at least half. The main attributes of the migraine disability assessment questionnaire are reviewed. The applications of the migraine disability assessment questionnaire in clinical practice as well as public health initiatives are also discussed.