Abstract Details

Title Patient-Reported Sensitivity to Medications in a Headache Specialty Clinic

Topic Headache

Presentation(s) P15 - Poster Session 15 (12:00 PM-1:00 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 7-006

Objective The primary objective of this study was to survey patients referred to a tertiary university-based headache clinic regarding self-reported sensitivity to medications.

Background A growing body of evidence suggests that headache and pain patients are more likely to experience higher levels of side effects with treatments. This may result from multiple factors, including placebo/nocebo effects, anxiety related to interoceptive conditioning, and comorbid conditions. An important factor when counseling patients about new therapies is expected side effects. Little research has been published on self-reported medication sensitivity in headache patients, aside from nocebo effects in clinical trials.

Design/Methods

All new patients at a tertiary headache specialty clinic completed a patient reported outcomes questionnaire prior to their first visit. Patients were specifically asked "Do you perceive that you are sensitive to medications?" with possible answers of yes/no/unsure.

Results We analyzed data from N=3,587 patients. About a third of patients reported they were medication-sensitive (n=1139, 32%), and (n=978, 27%) were "unsure". N=1470 (41%) did not describe themselves as sensitive to medication. Patients reporting sensitivity were more likely to suffer from chronic migraine (73% vs. 62%) and medication overuse headache (47% vs 41%). Sensitivity was also associated with increased complaints of joint pain, muscle pain, neck pain, but not back pain. Disability rates were higher with medication sensitivity (39% vs 29%). Post-traumatic headache was equally common in both groups.

Conclusions

A large number of patients with headache consider themselves medication sensitive. This group appears more likely to have chronic migraine and medication overuse headache, other physical symptoms, and is more disabled. This study is unable to determine whether medication sensitivity is just a marker of severity or denotes a distinct subpopulation. It is important to recognize this in patients when developing a collaborative treatment plan with patients in order to enhance adherence and effectiveness.

Authors/Disclosures
Natalia Murinova, MD, F�鶹��ýӳ�� (University Of Washington) PRESENTER	Dr. Murinova has nothing to disclose.
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
Melissa Schorn, ARNP, DNP (MedNorthwest)	No disclosure on file
Daniel Krashin, MD (Seattle VA)	Dr. Krashin has nothing to disclose.

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