[Validity and reliability of the migraine self-questionnaire Alcoi-1995].

Introduction: In epidemiological investigation valid, reliable means of diagnosing the illnesses studies are essential.

Objective: To validate the self-questionnaire 'Alcoi 1995' for the diagnosis of migraine.

Methods: We used the questionnaire Alcoi-1992 (which had been validated previously) to find the prevalence of migraine in homogeneous populations. After this, we selected the significant items to obtain a shorter, more specific questionnaire for diagnosis of migraine, which we called 'Alcoi 1995'. We selected a population of patients and healthy volunteers. The diagnosis of migraine (neurologist and self-questionnaire) was made on criteria of the International Headache Society (IHS, 1988).

Results: There were 71 persons included in the study, 40 patients (5 men and 35 women those average age was 39.7 +/- 14.4 years) and 31 healthy volunteers (15 men and 16 women with an average age of 36 +/- 14.4). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, and the Kappa concordance index for migraine (100%, 100%, 100%, 100% and 1); migraine with no aura (75%, 100%, 100%, 86% and 0.79) and migraine with a typical aura (100%, 88%, 63%, 100% and 0.71) were calculated.

Conclusions: Our results show a high degree of validity and reliability when the self-questionnaire is used for the diagnosis of migraine. It is a tool for use in epidemiological studies which is quick and easy to use, and is cheap.