Medication Overuse Headache: A Short Test
When the cure becomes worse than the cause, it’s MOH. See what you know about these hard-to-treat headaches.
Medication Overhuse Headache: A Short Test
1. What are the diagnostic criteria for medication overuse headache (MOH)?
2. In what type of patient does MOH appear more likely to occur?
3. Treatment of which type of pre-existing headache is most likely to lead to MOH?
4. Depression and anxiety are more likely to be present in patients with MOH than in those with migraines. True or false?
5. The physiologic mechanism of MOH is well understood. True or false?
6. Use of which of the following analgesics is associated with MOH?
7. What is considered the best treatment approach for MOH?
8. What is the most appropriate guidance for patients who experience medication withdrawal during MOH treatment?
9. Only about 3% to 5% of patients receiving appropriate treatment for MOH suffer relapse of the condition.
Source: Alstadhaug KB, Offe HK, Kristoffersen ES. Preventing and treating medication overuse headache.PAIN: Clinical Updates. 2017;25:e612.
As the name implies, medication overuse headaches occur as a result of treatments meant to alleviate the original pain. Criteria for diagnosis are based on expert consensus rather than on formal evidence. Understanding of MOH continues to change as more rigorous scientific methods are applied; see what you know about etiology and treatment as the research now stands with this short test.
