Migraine classification and diagnosis

International Headache Society criteria

Olesen, Jes MD, PhD
Lipton, Richard B. MD

Department of Neurology, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark (Dr. Olesen); and the Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and the Headache Unit, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York (Dr. Lipton).

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Jes Olesen, Department of Neurology, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Niels Andersens Vej 65, DK-2900, Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark.

Neurology 44(6):p S6-S10, June 1994.

Article abstract

In 1988, the International Headache Society (IHS) classification committee published operational diagnostic criteria for a broad range of headache disorders, including migraine. These criteria have been translated into more than 10 languages, providing uniform terminology for clinical practice, multinational clinical trials, and biologic and epidemiologic research. The criteria have also been evaluated in a limited number of field studies intended to address their reliability, validity, comprehensiveness, and generalizability. The IHS criteria for migraine provide one method for targeting a group of headache patients in need of care.