OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to (i) assess the reliability and validity of the Arabic version of HIT-6 in Arabic-speaking patients experiencing migraine, and (ii) evaluate the responsiveness of HIT-6 following migraine preventive therapy.
METHODS: In this prospective study, patients with migraine (n = 145) were requested to fill out a headache diary, the Arabic version of HIT-6, and Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS) at two time points (baseline and 3 months after initiation of prophylactic treatment). Some respondents (n = 73) were requested to fill out HIT-6 again 1 week from the baseline for test-retest reliability. The intensity of migraine headache attacks was evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). An anchor-based method was used to establish the minimal important change (MIC) value and responsiveness of HIT-6.
RESULTS: The total scores of HIT-6 were significantly correlated to a fair degree with MIDAS (r = 0.41), as well as VAS (r = 0.53), and monthly migraine days (r = 0.38) at the baseline while at the follow-up (after 3 months), the correlations were of moderate degree with MIDAS scores (r = 0.62) and monthly migraine days (r = 0.60; convergent validity). Reliability estimates of the Arabic HIT-6 were excellent (Cronbach's α = 0.91 at baseline and 0.89 at follow-up). The average measure interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) value for the test-retest reliability was 0.96 (95% confidence interval = 0.94-0.98, p
METHODS: This multicenter prospective observational study was conducted with 140 patients experiencing migraine and indicated for prophylactic medications. Headache assessment was done at baseline and 3 months after receiving prophylactic medications using the Arabic version of MSQ 2.1, Headache Impact Test (HIT-6), and visual analog scale (VAS). The MSQ 2.1 was repeated 1 week after the first visit to a group of patients (n = 70) to assess test-retest reliability.
RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha for the MSQ 2.1 was 0.973, indicating excellent internal consistency. The intraclass correlation coefficient (average measure) was 0.99, indicating excellent test-retest reliability. There were statistically significant correlations between the MSQ 2.1 total score and monthly migraine days, VAS, and HIT-6 scores before and 3 months after prophylactic medications. The receiver operating characteristic curve revealed that an increase of 8.5 in the total score of the MSQ 2.1 represents the minimally important change that means significant improvement (area under the curve = 0.785, sensitivity = 0.861, specificity = 0.656, p
METHODS: This retrospective study included 153 Muslim patients with MS. Data related to the disease course before Ramadan were obtained from patients' files, whereas data related to the disease activity during Ramadan, were collected from patients over the two months following Ramadan.
RESULTS: Patients with MS who experienced relapses, exacerbation of symptoms and development of new symptoms during Ramadan had a statistically significant longer disease duration compared to those who did not experience (P < 0.001, <0.001, 0.01 respectively). Also, patients who experienced relapses, exacerbation of symptoms and development of new symptoms during Ramadan had a statistically significant higher expanded disability status scale (EDSS) compared to those who did not experience (P <0.001, <0.001,0.01, respectively). The occurrence of relapses, exacerbation of symptoms and development of new symptoms during Ramadan, were significantly higher in patients who experienced relapses in the preceding year compared to those who did not (P= 0.002, 0.002, 0.01, respectively). Binary logistic regression revealed that each score elevation of EDSS increased the odds of relapse during Ramadan by 1.02 (P-value = 0.04). Also, each month's increase in disease duration increased the odds of relapse during Ramadan by 1.87 (P-value = 0.046).
CONCLUSION: High EDSS and long disease duration are independent predictors of relapse during Ramadan.