Background
Headache is an extremely common neurological problem. Italy is the first European country for OTC consumption with related problems of self-medication and risk of medication overuse headache (MOH).
Aim
to monitor the consumption of symptomatic drugs for headache and to prevent drugs abuse/dependence.
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Materials and methods
274 patients using symptomatic drug for headache were recruited in 32 pharmacies in the Pavia Health District. A telephonic interview was carried out in 199 patients; 179 entered the study at baseline (T0) and 112 (22 M and 90 F, mean age 45.0±11.5 yrs.) were followed-up at 6 months (T6).
Results
patients with chronic migraine or MOH at T0 were 39 and 7 at T6. Days/month with headache at T6 vs T0 were 4.3±0.6 vs 9.7±0.8 (p<0.0001). Attacks/month at T6 vs T0 were slightly reduced (1.9±0.2 vs 7.6±0.8 p=0.09). A significant decrease of the doses of analgesics consumption/month was noted (T6=13.2±1.2 vsT0=17.0±2.2, p=0.013). An increase in quality of life was found on MIDAS scores at T6 vsT0 (13.4±1.8 vs23.7±2.5; p=0.00) and in the quality of treatment received (HURT)(5.6±0.4 vs 9.9±0.5; p=0.00).
Conclusions
Our results highlight that the change from self medication to medical care may reduce the numbers of symptomatic treatment, the headache days/ month and ameliorate the quality of life in patients with headache. A longer follow-up (i.e. 12 month) may provide further evidence on improvement of the clinical picture of headache patients and prevention of MOH.
No conflict of interest.
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Acknowledgments
Research grant from the Italian Ministry of Health (2013) to IRCCS C.Mondino.
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