From my own experience the HIT-6 seems to have characteristics which our statisticians and economists like in measuring headache impact. There is also MIDAS. Do feel free to read our papers which are listed under my name with Research Gate.

And good luck!

Leone Ridsdale

I did not find any information about biomarkers for chronic headaches. Most reliable, but still self-measure is ecologcialy momentary assessment, using elctronic diary. There are different protocols of collecting such data. They are much more reliable than paper diary.

In the diagnosis of chronic migraine, increased calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) levels were measured in peripheral blood outside migraine attacks. In the absence of symptomatic medication this could be a biomarker helping in the diagnosis of chronic migraine. Other than that, there are presently no validated biomarkers for any chronic pain condition, including migraine [1].

We develop a new sort of dynamical network biomarker, which however could only indicate the transition from episodic to chronic form [2].

See:

[1] D. Borsook, L. Becerra, and R. Hargreaves, Discov Med 11, 197-207 (2011).

[2] M. A. Dahlem, S. Rode, A. May, N. Fujiwara, Y. Hirata, K. Aihara, and J. Kurths, Transl. Neuroscie. 4, 282-294 (2013).

I have tension headaches that develop quickly into debilitating migraines and just migraines. Personally, I kept a headache journal about that foods, level of caffeine, time of day, level of stress, allergies, when we are moving (military pcs moves) and weather. This did help pin point foods that trigger migraines, and weather headaches. Simple redirection in every day life helps, but pain management by medication works well. I hope this helps.

there are some questionnaire as "Leone Ridsdale" has mentioned. but for chronic migraine there is a simple criteria for defining the chronic migraine. you can find it in my profile:

the article is entitled "The Psychometric Properties of the Persian Migraine-Specific

Quality of Life Questionnaire Version 2.1 in Episodic and

Chronic Migraines"

Best regards

Faraidoon

If you like to compare your results with our European wide Headache Survey using the validated Eurolight questionnaire you could add

WHOQoL8 , HALT, HADS and many other impact questions

the Eurolight questionnaire can be found here

Cephalalgia. 2010 Sep;30(9):1082-100. Development and validation of the EUROLIGHT questionnaire to evaluate the burden of primary headache disorders in Europe.

subjective: MIDAS and HIT-6

objective: TMS, habituation of the evoked potentials, FMRI

as the comment of Dr Dahlem CGRP and some inflammatory products during headache attack.

generally the sensitization of the pain pathway in the chronic headache cause prolong headache.

MSQ: migraine specific quality of life

HIT-6: Headache Impact Test - 6

MIDAS: Migraine Disability Assessment

these are three questionnaires that can be used for measuring different aspects of the disease

we have translated them in to Persian language and are valid and reliable questionnaires.

Dear Colin,

You don't need biomarkers...Just search for measuring of "referred pain" points at the level of the SCM muscle & Trapezius, with the aid of pressure pain sensors or electric algometers...

Best greetings,

See also: http://www.roptrotherapy.info