Challenges in Identifying Migraines in Healthcare Data

Research Summary

A recent systematic literature review published in Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety explores the challenges of identifying migraines in electronic healthcare data. Researchers examined 50 studies using electronic algorithms to pinpoint migraines, highlighting the variability in algorithm characteristics and target populations. They found that reported migraine prevalence ranged from 4% to 17%, with various studies using different combinations of diagnosis codes, treatments, and care settings. Only two studies provided validation results, showing positive predictive values between 74% and 97%. The study emphasizes that while identifying migraine patients is feasible, developing reliable algorithms remains a challenge due to inconsistent performance.

Study Details

📄 Title: The Challenges for Pharmacoepidemiologists Identifying Migraine in Electronic Healthcare Data Sources: A Systematic Literature Review.

👥 Research Team: Forns J et al.

📚 Published In: Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf

📅 Publication Date: 2025 Dec

⚕️ Medical Disclaimer: This summary is generated automatically from recent migraine research. Always consult with healthcare professionals for medical advice.