Evaluating migraine disability: the headache impact test instrument in context.

Migraine impairs physical, social and emotional functioning but the diagnosis is not always made despite the availability of helpful tools. Poor patient-physician communication is one reason cited for this. It is arguable that if the impact that headaches are having on a person's life can be communicated adequately to the physician, the likelihood of appropriate management will increase. The tools currently employed for assessing headache impact are reviewed briefly and the Headache Impact Test (HIT) and HIT-6 described as validated and reliable measures of the effect that headaches are having on patients. The availability of the standard test on the internet, with feedback provided, indicates that this is a potentially useful tool enabling headache sufferers to realize the extent of the burden of migraine and empowering them to seek appropriate management strategies.