Prevalence, recognition rate and self-awareness of migraine in Germany 2004

Introduction: Migraine is a common headache disorder which has a considerable individual and societal impact. However, the recent prevalence of migraine in the general population in Germany and the agreement between diagnoses by IHS criteria, diagnoses by treating physicians and self-awareness of migraine are unknown. Methods: Nation-wide telephone survey of a representative sample of the general adult population in Germany (modified random digit dialing sampling design, n=7341). A diagnosis of migraine was assigned based on the 2003 IHS criteria if respondents reported 1) severe headaches in the past year, 2) u…