MIDAS — Migraine Disability Assessment
Migraine Disability Assessment questionnaire measures days of disability from migraines in the past 3 months across work, household, and social domains. Guides treatment intensity.
Score interpretation
MIDAS Grade I (0–5 days) — little or no disability
→ Acute treatment adequate (triptans/NSAIDs); reassess if frequency increases
MIDAS Grade II (6–10 days) — mild disability
→ Acute treatment; consider preventive therapy if >4 headache days/month; lifestyle measures
MIDAS Grade III (11–20 days) — moderate disability
→ Preventive therapy recommended (propranolol, topiramate, amitriptyline, CGRP antagonists); neurologist review
MIDAS Grade IV (≥21 days) — severe disability
→ Urgent preventive therapy; specialist neurology review; consider CGRP monoclonal antibodies; botulinum toxin for chronic migraine; multidisciplinary pain management
Interpretation bands for the MIDAS. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
- Stewart WF et al. Development and testing of the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire to assess headache-related disability. Neurology. 2001;56(6 Suppl 1):S20–28.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Erenumab · CGRP Receptor Monoclonal Antibody — Migraine Prevention
- Propranolol (Migraine Prevention) · Beta-Blocker — Migraine Prophylaxis
- Atogepant · CGRP Receptor Antagonist (Gepant — Migraine Prevention)
- Thiamine (IV/IM — Pabrinex) · Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) — deficiency treatment / Wernicke's encephalopathy prevention
- Anthrax Vaccine · Vaccine (Bacterial — Anthrax Prevention)
- Edoxaban (AF Stroke Prevention / VTE) · Direct Factor Xa Inhibitor (DOAC)
- Acute Stroke / TIA Assessment · NICE NG128; RCP Stroke Guidelines 2023
- Status Epilepticus (Adults) · NICE CG137; ESEM guidelines; RCP Neurology Guidelines
- Suspected Subarachnoid Haemorrhage · NICE NG228; RCEM 2023; AHA/ASA 2023
- Adult Head Injury · NICE NG232 (2023)
- Bell's Palsy / Facial Nerve Palsy · ENT UK 2017; AAN
- Vertigo Workup · ENT UK; NICE CKS
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.