Does quality of life differ among headache diagnoses? Analysis using the medical outcomes study instrument.

BACKGROUND

To analyze the differences in quality of life associated with headache diagnoses using the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Health Survey (SF-20).

METHODS

A patient interview survey using the SF-20 Short Form Health Survey was conducted in a headache clinic within a multi-specialty group practice. All six health components of the SF-20 were included in the study. Headache diagnoses were made using IHS criteria.

RESULTS

208 consecutive headache patients were studied. Patients with cluster headache had a significantly higher (worse) pain score (P < 0.018) and higher percentage of patients with poor health due to pain (P < 0.005) than patients with migraine headache. There were fewer cluster patients with poor health associated with physical functioning than tension-type (P < 0.020) or mixed headache (P < 0.022) patients. Poor health associated with social functioning was greater for cluster (P < 0.011) and tension-type headache (P < 0.015) than for migraine. There was a significantly higher percentage of tension-type headache patients with poor health associated with mental health (P < 0.002) than patients with migraine.

CONCLUSIONS

The SF-20 is a reliable and valid measure of quality of life for patients with different headache diagnoses. Distinct headache diagnoses are marked by unique patterns of impairment and quality of life.