Medication Overuse Headache: How Much Are We Aware?

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Medication overuse headache (MOH) is the third most common type of headache following migraine and tension-type headaches, and its iatrogenic origin is important. Our aim is to evaluate the frequency of MOH, the severity of pain and its relation with comorbid psychiatric disorders among patients presenting with headaches. METHODS: Two patient groups were formed: those with MOH and those without MOH. Patients' gender, age, headache duration, monthly headache attack frequency, monthly analgesic use and type, presence of anxiety and depression, and pain severity were evaluated. RESULTS: 38 (69.10%) of the MOH patients had a history of migraine, and 17 (30.90%) of them had a tension headache. Paracetamol + non-steroidal anti-inflammatory was the most commonly used analgesic in 37 patients (67.28%). Depression was observed in 33 (60%) of the patients with MOH, and anxiety was observed in 12 (21.82%). Depression was observed in 30 (18.29%) and anxiety in 42 (25.60%) of the 164 patients who did not use medication excessively. There was no significant difference in age, gender, headache duration and type between the two groups. The frequency of attacks (monthly), presence of depression and pain severity were significantly higher in the MOH group. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Knowing this disease is important primarily in terms of preventing its development and if it has developed, early diagnosis and treatment. We think that raising awareness of patients who apply to primary care polyclinics in terms of excessive analgesic use will decrease the incidence of MOH.

Keywords

• medication overuse headache
• analgesics
• depression
• anxiety