Visual migraine aura iconography: A multicentre, cross-sectional study of individuals with migraine with aura.

Abstract

Introduction: Visual disturbances are the most common symptoms of migraine aura. These symptoms can be described systematically by subdividing them into elementary visual symptoms. Since visual symptoms of migraine aura are not easy to describe verbally, we developed a collection of images illustrating previously reported elementary visual symptoms.

Objectives: To test a standardised visual migraine aura iconography in a large population of migraine with aura patients and to improve it based on the participants' feedback.

Methods: We created a set of images representing 25 elementary visual symptoms and a web-based survey where participants could report whether they recognised these images as part of their visual aura. Elementary visual symptoms could also be recognised via a corresponding text description or described in a free text by participants. Individuals with migraine aura recruited from four tertiary headache centres (in Switzerland, Denmark, Norway and Italy) were invited to complete the survey.

Results: Two hundred and fifteen participants completed the study (78.9% women, median age 36). They recognised a total of 1645 elementary visual symptoms from our predefined list. Of those, 1291 (78.4%) where recognised via standardised iconography images. A new type of elementary visual symptom was reported by one participant.

Conclusion: Most elementary visual symptoms experienced by participants were recognised via the standardised iconography. This tool can be useful for clinical as well as research purposes.