Migraine is underdiagnosed and under-recognised in primary care, and commonly confused with tension-type headache, according to a Sydney-based neurologist who concedes that even members of her own profession can mistake the diagnosis.

Dr Bronwyn Jenkins, a migraine specialist based at the Epping Clinic and at Royal North Shore Hospital, says that while there is no specific test to diagnose migraine, the best approach is a simple one.

She endorses the three-item migraine ID screener which she says has proven validity and reliability.

“Three simple questions can effectively screen for migraine. If patients have light sensitivity, nausea or are unable to work or do what they normally do, then it’s most likely migraine. There’s no reason to wait until your patient is vomiting in a dark room, and they don’t necessarily need to have a throbbing headache for a migraine diagnosis.”