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The reduction in headache days was found to be associated with abrupt
withdrawal and regular access to the prophylactic medications.
A recent study published in the Journal of Headache and Pain states that during COVID-19 pandemic times, regular use of prophylactic medications, withdrawal of overuse of headache medications and patients level of education had a significant impact in reducing headache intensity and days per month in patients suffering from medication overuse headache (MOH).
A total of 78 patients diagnosed with MOH were enrolled in the study. Respective pre-pandemic and pandemic data were collected for 3 months, following the univariate and multivariate logistic regression to assess the independent factors associated with the change in the headache symptoms and drug withdrawal.
It was observed that some patients with MOH
reported a decrease in the headache intensity and days with acute medication
per month as compared to the pre-pandemic period. The regular use of
prophylactic medicines resulted in a 50% reduction of headache days and
intensity per month depicted by the odds ratio respectively 39.19 (95% CI
3.75–409.15, P = 0.002) and 10.13 (95% CI 2.33–44.12, P = 0.002).
The high educational level and abrupt
withdrawal were significant independent factors in decreasing the intensity of
headache. As reported by the authors, a decrease in days and acute medication
per month (odds ratios of 4.78, 95%CI
1.44–15.87, P = 0.011) was associated with the male sex.
The headache specialists should emphasise
educating the MOH patients while managing them during COVID-19 times.
The Journal of Headache and Pain
The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on headache symptoms and drug withdrawal among patients with medication overuse headache: a cross-sectional study
Changling Li et al.
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