Validity of the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) score in comparison to a diary-based measure in a population sample of migraine sufferers

The Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire measures headache-related disability over three months. It has moderately high test-retest reliability among headache sufferers. This study aimed to assess the validity of the MIDAS score against a 90-day diary measure. One hundred forty-four diagnosed migraine sufferers participated in the diary study. They completed the MIDAS questionnaire at the study's end. The daily diary recorded headache features and limitations in various activities. The MIDAS score summed missed days of work, household chores, and non-work activities. The MIDAS estimates for missed work and household days were similar to diary measures. However, MIDAS responses overestimated productivity reduction in work and household tasks. Despite this, the overall MIDAS score was not significantly different from the diary measure. The correlation between the MIDAS score and the diary score was 0.63, indicating valid estimates of disability based on both methods. Clinical relevance: This study indicates that MIDAS can provide reliable disability estimates for migraine sufferers.