[Migraine and quality of life]

The repercussion of migraine, as well as that of other chronic recurrent diseases, cannot be adequately evaluated with the classical epidemiologic indicators of morbidity and mortality. It is therefore necessary to use other parameters of evaluation such as the quality of life (QL) of the patients and the economic impact which they have on society. The authors herein review the concept of QL and the content and usefulness of the different tools which have been used to measure QL associated with health. The results of the QL studies in a general population are analyzed, compared with those for patients with primary headaches and other chronic diseases and with the differences among the different types of primary headaches, specially with the SF-36 questionnaire which is the most widely used measurement tool. All the specific questionnaires developed to evaluate the repercussion of migraine on the QL are also reviewed as are the results of its use in the different clinical trials, specially with the new drugs of the triptan family. We conclude emphasizing the importance of the measurement of QL in recognizing the socieconomic impact of migraine and recommending the use of these tools in the evaluation of new drugs since they new provide data patients' which cannot be obtained with the current efficacy measures.