Cluster Headache Impact Questionnaire (CHIQ) – a short measure of cluster headache related disability

Kamm, Katharina; Straube, Andreas und Ruscheweyh, Ruth (18. March 2022): Cluster Headache Impact Questionnaire (CHIQ) – a short measure of cluster headache related disability. In: Journal of Headache and Pain, Vol. 23

Abstract

Background Cluster headache (CH) is a severe, highly disabling primary headache disorder. However, there is little research on CH-related disability, and most of it is based on non CH-specific questionnaires. The aim of this study was to develop a short, CH-specific disability questionnaire.

Methods The 8-item Cluster Headache Impact Questionnaire (CHIQ) was developed based on a literature review and patient and expert interviews. The questionnaire was tested in 254 CH patients (171 males; 47.5 ± 11.4 years; 111 chronic CH, 85 active episodic CH, 52 episodic CH in remission) from our tertiary headache center or from a German support group.

Results Reliability and validity of the CHIQ was evaluated in active episodic and chronic CH patients ( n = 196). Internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.88) and test-retest reliability (ICC 0.91, n = 41) were good. Factor analysis identified a single factor. Convergent validity was shown by significant correlations with the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6, r = 0.58, p < 0.001), subscales of the depression, anxiety and stress scales (DASS, r = 0.46–0.62; p < 0.001) and with CH attack frequency ( r = 0.41; p < 0.001). CHIQ scores significantly differentiated between chronic CH (25.8 ± 6.5), active episodic CH (23.3 ± 6.9) and episodic CH patients in remission (13.6 ± 11.9, p < 0.05 for all 3 comparisons).

Conclusions The CHIQ is a short, reliable, valid, and easy to administer measure of CH-related disability, which makes it a useful tool for clinical use and research.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Form of publication: Publisher's Version
• Faculties: Medicine > Medical Center of the University of Munich > Neurosurgical Clinic and Polyclinic
• Subjects: 600 Technology > 610 Medicine and health
• ISSN: 1129-2369
• Language: English
• DFG: Gefördert durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - 491502892