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Medication overuse headache in Europe and Latin America: general demographic and clinical characteristics, referral pathways and national distribution of painkillers in a descriptive, multinational, multicenter study.
- Source :
- Journal of Headache & Pain; 3/8/2016, Vol. 17 Issue 1, p1-12, 12p
- Publication Year :
- 2016
-
Abstract
- Background: Medication overuse headache (MOH) is a very disabling and costly disorder due to indirect costs, medication and healthcare utilization. The aim of the study was to describe general demographic and clinical characteristics of MOH, along with the national referral pathways and national painkillers distribution in several European and Latin American (LA) Countries. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional observational study included 669 patients with MOH referred to headache-centers in Europe and LA as a part of the COMOESTAS project. Information about acute medication and healthcare utilization were collected by extensive questionnaires, supplemented with structured patient interviews. Results: Triptans were overused by 31 % European patients and by 6 % in LA ( p < 0.001), whereas ergotamines were overused by 4 % in Europe and 72 % in LA ( p < 0.001). Simple analgesics were overused by 54 % in Europe and by 33 % in LA ( p < 0.001), while combination-analgesics were more equally overused (24 % in Europe and 29 % in LA). More European patients (57 %) compared with LA patients (27 %) visited general practitioners ( p < 0.001), and 83 % of European patients compared to 38 % in LA consulted headache specialists ( p < 0.001). A total of 20 % in Europe and 30 % in LA visited emergency rooms ( p = 0.007). Conclusion: There are marked variations between LA and Europe in healthcare pathways and in acute medication overuse regarding patients with MOH. This should be considered when planning prevention campaigns against MOH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- ANALGESICS
CHI-squared test
DRUG prescribing
EMERGENCY medical services
FISHER exact test
HEADACHE
MEDICAL care use
MEDICAL care costs
MEDICAL referrals
PROBABILITY theory
QUESTIONNAIRES
RESEARCH funding
T-test (Statistics)
PHYSICIAN practice patterns
CROSS-sectional method
DATA analysis software
PRIMARY headache disorders
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 11292369
- Volume :
- 17
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Headache & Pain
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 113577162
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-016-0612-2