Evaluating migraine tracking methods: a study of headache diary use in Lithuania

Migraine management is essential for improving patient wellbeing. Headache diaries support active self-management and provide valuable clinical data to healthcare professionals. This study evaluated diary use, recording methods, and utilization patterns in Lithuania.

In 2022-2023 an anonymous online survey was distributed nationwide through migraine support groups in social networks, online migraine self-help platforms, and the Lithuanian Association of Migraine Patients' website. Our questionnaire included sociodemographic, migraine-related, headache tracking methods, and previous experience with telemedicine.

A total of 847 patients were included in the study, with a median age of 35 years (IQR: 30-43); 823 (97.2%) participants were female. 345 (40.7%) patients reported using a headache diary, with 203 (58.8%) using paper-based, 167 (48.4%) electronic diaries, and 27 (7.8%) using both. Adherence to headache diaries was higher among chronic migraine patients compared to episodic migraine (76.3% vs. 38.1%, P < 0.001), participants receiving neurology telemedicine consultations compared to those without such experience (61.8% vs. 36.4%, P < 0.001), and among CGRP monoclonal antibody users relative to non-users (32.5% vs. 5.4%, P < 0.001). Use of migraine-tracking software declined with age (adjusted OR = 0.956, 95% CI 0.93-0.98, P < 0.001). Patients with chronic migraine were less likely to document attack-related information on electronic devices (adjusted OR = 0.531, 95% CI 0.28-0.98, P = 0.048). An inverse association was observed between migraine pain intensity during ineffective medication use and electronic tracking (adjusted OR = 0.877, 95% CI 0.76-0.99, P = 0.043). Physicians never reviewed headache diaries according to 12.8% of patients, while 13.6% reported that physicians were unaware of their diary use.

This study provides insights into the preferences of Lithuanian migraine patients for tracking attack-related information. Younger patients and those with episodic migraine were more likely to use digital tools, while prior telemedicine experience was associated with headache diary use. These findings highlight how digital tools could be useful in managing migraines, while also showing that traditional paper-based approaches still have a place.