Study of the use of analgesics in patients with headache in a specialized outpatient clinic

• Grant number: 12/20695-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2012
• End date: November 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: José Geraldo Speciali
• Grantee: Olga Francis Pita Chagas
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The chronic use of analgesics constitutes an important cause of chronicity and drug resistance in headaches. The high prevalence of headache cases, associated with increasingly easy access to symptomatic medications, eventually causes an uncontrolled and abusive use of these medications by the population. Because of this, the medication overuse headache ended up becoming an important disease entity in the present, with extensive publication in the literature. Objective: To recognize and evaluate the pattern of analgesic use and your interference in headaches in patients with headache assisted at the Serviço de Cefaleias e Algias Craniofaciais of the Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (ACEF). Materials and Methods: The study is observational, predominantly descriptive, prospective, double-blind, addressing randomly around 155 patients with headaches, aged between 18 and 80 years, attended by doctors hired at ACEF. Patients who were attending this outpatient clinic during the period of one year will be submitted to a semi-structured, self-administered, and anonymous questionnaire, composed of open and closed questions, specially prepared for this research, in order to evaluate the pattern of analgesic use and your interference in headaches. After the questionnaire is answered, the doctor who will perform the service will make the diagnosis of headache. At the end of the medical consultation, the investigator, without knowledge of the patient, will take possession of the questionnaires.(AU)