Diagnostic delay in migraine with aura

Abstract

Migraine with aura (MWA) is a common headache, characterized by short-lasting neurological signs preceding an headache attack with migraine characteristics. We have recently performed several investigations about time-delay for migraine without aura diagnosis (MWoA). Aim of this study was to compare the time necessary to obtain a correct diagnosis in MWA and MWoA patients. We enrolled 31 consecutive patients affected by MWA and 62 age- and sex-matched patients affected by MWoA. All subjects were submitted to a face-to-face interview about the time-delay from symptoms' onset and a correct migraine typology diagnosis, the number of specialists consulted and the instrumental examinations performed. Independent samples and repeated measures t test, Mann-Whitney U were performed to compare the variables of the cases with the matched controls. No significant differences were found among the collected variables. Diagnostic delay was significantly different (p < 0.05), resulting lower in patients affected by MWA than in those with MWoA. In fact, subjects affected by MWA had a mean diagnostic delay of 6.70 years (SE ± 1.5), while patients affected by MWoA had a mean interval of 10.7 years (SE ± 1.20). Patients affected by MWA present a significant lower delay for the formulation of a correct diagnosis with respect to subjects with MWoA. This could be probably due to the fact that MWA patients develop major alarm reactions related to visual symptoms and look for an earlier appointment with a specialist medical center.