American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

How is status migrainosus defined?

1. A migraine lasting less than 24 hours

2. A migraine attack extending beyond 72 hours

3. A migraine without aura

4. A migraine accompanied by aura

The correct answer is: A migraine attack extending beyond 72 hours

Status migrainosus is defined as a migraine attack that extends beyond 72 hours. This condition represents a severe form of migraine characterized by an intractable headache that persists for an extended period, significantly impacting a patient's quality of life and function. Patients with status migrainosus often experience not only the relentless pain associated with migraine but may also have accompanying symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Because this condition lasts longer than the typical migraine attack, which usually resolves within a 72-hour period, it often necessitates more intensive treatment options to manage the symptoms and alleviate the prolonged suffering experienced by the patients. The other options do not accurately capture the definition of status migrainosus, as they refer to different aspects of migraine presentation rather than the duration necessary to categorize a migraine as status migrainosus.