[Migraine and tension headache. New procedures for objective differentiation].

Aims: Presentation of a new questionnaire for headache analysis that supplements a computer-aided scheme for the diagnosis of headaches.

Major Points: The classification scheme of the International Headache Society (IHS) represents an instrument for the classification and identification of headaches that makes use of phenomenological criteria. On this basis, a computer program was developed that permits clearly differentiated analysis of various common types of headache. Both primary forms of headaches and clinically relevant secondary forms are taken into account. Since many--although not all--doctor's offices are equipped with personal computers, a questionnaire has now been developed with the aid of which the two major primary forms of headache, migraine and tension headache, can be distinguished. On average, the patient takes only five minutes to complete the questionnaire. Evaluation is performed simply, with the aid of an evaluation sheet. Types of headache other than those described cannot be excluded on the basis of the questionnaire.