Translation and Validation of ID-Migraine Questionnaire to North-Indian Vernacular Languages

BACKGROUND: ID-Migraine is an established screening tool for migraine. Translation and validation in more languages can increase its reach and scope. AIM: To translate and validate ID-Migraine for screening migraine patients in two North-Indian vernacular languages, that is, Hindi and Punjabi. METHODS: ID Migraine was translated into Hindi and Punjabi. Subjects with headaches in outpatient clinics were administered the questionnaire according to their preferred language of choice and referenced clinical evaluations, performed by an experienced neurologist, based on current the ICHD-3 diagnostic criteria. RESULTS: One hundred subjects with complaints of headaches and 60 healthy controls were recruited after informed consent. Of the 100 subjects with headaches, 73 (73%) screened positive with a translated version of ID-Migraine, and 60 (60%) were eventually diagnosed with migraine without aura. The sensitivity of the Hindi version of ID-Migraine was 94% (95% confidence intervals, 79% to 99%); specificity, 56% (95% CI, 31% to 78%); positive predictive value, 79% (95% CI, 69% to 86%) and negative predictive value, 83% (95% CI, 55% to 95%). The Punjabi version demonstrated a sensitivity of 86% (95% CI, 68% to 96%); specificity, 43% (95% CI, 23% to 66%); PPV, 68% (95% CI, 58% to 76%); and NPV, 69% (95% CI, 44% to 86%). CONCLUSION: The translated versions of ID-Migraine demonstrated high sensitivity and fair specificity for screening migraine in Indian subjects who speak and understand Hindi and Punjabi.