Skip to main content
. 2021 Nov 30;11(11):e043242. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043242

Table 2.

Delphi round 2. Results of domain prioritisation for episodic migraine (combined panels, n=27)†

Rank* Proposed ‘merged’ domain and definition Top 10/27 prioritised domains Top 50% of prioritised domains (rank 1–13/27 inclusive) Lower 50% of prioritised domains (rank 14–27 inclusive)
1 Pain
  • Experience of an unpleasant sensation that aches or hurts in the head; the frequency, severity and duration of this pain is important

Pain associated with migraine—experience of an unpleasant sensation that aches or hurts (1/27)
Frequency of pain associated with a migraine (2/27)
Severity or intensity of pain associated with a migraine (3/27)
Duration of pain associated with a migraine (4/27)
2 Usual activities
  • Being able to carry out usual activities (including paid or unpaid work, study, domestic chores, care or support for family or close friends) to an acceptable or usual standard

  • Being able to participate in, or commit to, usual activities

Being able to carry out activities related to work (paid or unpaid) or study to an acceptable or usual standard (5/27)
Family roles—able to provide usual care or support for family or close friends, including ability to commit activities (11/27)
Needing to take time off work (paid or unpaid) or study (13/27)
Participation in social or leisure activities—ability to participate in, or commit to, social or leisure activities (22/27)
3 Cognition
  • Difficulty concentrating, ability to ‘think clearly’, or to remember things

Cognitive function—difficulty concentrating, ability to think ‘clearly’ or to remember things (6/27)
4 Adverse events Treatment side effects—experiencing undesired secondary effects from taking medications for a migraine (7/27)
5 Overall health An individual’s general health status; the ability to ‘live a normal life’ (8/27)
6 Self-management Trigger factors—the ability to avoid/manage migraine trigger factors (9/27)
Self-management—ability to effectively decrease/minimise/control the impact of migraine on oneself (eg, pharmaceutical, diet, lifestyle choices, etc) (11/27)
Unpredictability of a migraine—uncertainty of being symptom free or able to engage in activities (17/27)
† prioritised in top 10 (10/27) by patients
7 Associated symptoms Increased sensitivities—to light, sound, smell or touch (10/27)
Vomiting and/or feelings of nausea (15/27)† prioritised in top 10 (8/27) by HCPs
Physical fatigue—experiencing physical fatigue, tiredness, lacking in energy and feeling physically exhausted (18/27)† prioritised in top 50% (11/27) by patients
8 Medication use Satisfaction with treatment (14/27)† prioritised in top 10 (9/27) by HCPs
The type (potency) and dose (how much) of a medication taken when experiencing a migraine (16/27)† prioritised in top 50% (11/27) by HCPs
The type (potency) and dose (how much) of a medication taken to prevent a migraine (21/27)
Consistency in treatment (23/27)
Confidence in treatment (25/27)
9 Emotional well-being Anxiety (19/27)
Depression (19/27)† prioritised in top 50% (13/27) by patients
Stress (24/27)
Self-worth (24/27)
Isolation (27/27)

*Top 7 grouped domains: informed by top 10 and top 50% of prioritised domains (13/27).

†6 domains prioritised differently between the two panels, considered further in round 3.

HCPs, healthcare professionals.