Projects per year
Abstract
Background
Medication-overuse headache (MOH) is caused by the regular use of medications to treat headache. There has been a lack of research into awareness of MOH. We distributed an electronic survey to undergraduate students and their contacts via social networking sites. Analgesic use, awareness of MOH, perceived change in behaviour following educational intervention about the risks of MOH and preferred terminology for MOH was evaluated.
Findings
485 respondents completed the questionnaire (41% having received healthcare training). 77% were unaware of the possibility of MOH resulting from regular analgesic use for headache. Following education about MOH, 80% stated they would reduce analgesic consumption or seek medical advice. 83% indicated that over the counter analgesia should carry a warning of MOH. The preferred terminology for MOH was painkiller-induced headache.
Conclusions
This study highlights the lack of awareness of MOH. Improved education about MOH and informative packaging of analgesics, highlighting the risks in preferred lay terminology (i.e. painkiller-induced headache), may reduce this iatrogenic morbidity and warrants further evaluation.
Medication-overuse headache (MOH) is caused by the regular use of medications to treat headache. There has been a lack of research into awareness of MOH. We distributed an electronic survey to undergraduate students and their contacts via social networking sites. Analgesic use, awareness of MOH, perceived change in behaviour following educational intervention about the risks of MOH and preferred terminology for MOH was evaluated.
Findings
485 respondents completed the questionnaire (41% having received healthcare training). 77% were unaware of the possibility of MOH resulting from regular analgesic use for headache. Following education about MOH, 80% stated they would reduce analgesic consumption or seek medical advice. 83% indicated that over the counter analgesia should carry a warning of MOH. The preferred terminology for MOH was painkiller-induced headache.
Conclusions
This study highlights the lack of awareness of MOH. Improved education about MOH and informative packaging of analgesics, highlighting the risks in preferred lay terminology (i.e. painkiller-induced headache), may reduce this iatrogenic morbidity and warrants further evaluation.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 10 |
| Journal | The Journal of Headache and Pain |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 13 Feb 2014 |
Keywords
- Medication-overuse headache
- Analgesia
- Headache
- Prevention
- Education
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Should we educate about the risks of medication overuse headache?'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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Assessing the Therapeutic Efficacy of an 11Beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 Inhibitor (AZD4017) in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH)
Sinclair, A., Tomlinson, J. & Stewart, P.
12/08/13 → 11/08/17
Project: Research Councils