Skip to main content
PMC home page
The Journal of Headache and Pain logoLink to The Journal of Headache and Pain
. 2009 Feb 24;10(2):71–76. doi: 10.1007/s10194-009-0101-y

From drug-induced headache to medication overuse headache. A short epidemiological review, with a focus on Latin American countries

Marta Allena 1,✉, Zaza Katsarava 2, Giuseppe Nappi 1,3; the COMOESTAS Consortium
PMCID: PMC3451648  PMID: 19238511

Abstract

Medication overuse headache (MOH) is a daily or almost-daily type of headache that results from the chronicization, usually migraine or tension-type headache, as a consequence of the progressive increase of intake of symptomatic drugs. MOH is now the third most frequent type of headache and affects a percentage of 1–1.4% of the general population. The currently available data on the impact of chronic headache associated with analgesic overuse in specialist headache centres confirm, beyond doubt, the existence of a serious health problem. Limited amount of data exists on the burden and impact of MOH in Latin American Countries. In this review, we summarise the reliable information from the literature on the epidemiological impact of MOH.

Keywords: Drug-induced headache, Medication overuse headache, Epidemiological impact, Prevalence, Latin American countries

Full Text

The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (153.9 KB).

Acknowledgments

Conflict of interest

None.

Footnotes

COMOESTAS Consortium: C. Tassorelli (Project Manager), G. Sances, G. Sandrini, F. Blandini, P. Rossi (IRCCS “Neurological Institute C. Mondino” Foundation, University Centre for Headache and Adaptive Disorders, Pavia), R. Jensen (Region Hovedstaden, Glostrup Amtssygehuset), M. Lainez (Fundación de la Comunidad Valenciana para la Investigación Biomédica, la Docencia y la Cooperación Internacional y para el Desarrollo del Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia—Spain), D. Mueller (Universitaetsklinikum Essen), J. Leston, M.T. Goicoichea (Fundacion para la Lucha contra las Enfermedades Neurologicas de la Infanzia, Buenos Aires—Argentina), R. Fadic (Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago—Chile).

COMOESTAS Project—EC contract number 215366 (COMOESTAS) FP7—Thematic priority ICT, www.comoestas-project.eu

References

  • 1.Castillo J, Muñoz P, Guitera V, et al. Epidemiology of chronic daily headache in the general population. Headache. 1999;39:190–196. doi: 10.1046/j.1526-4610.1999.3903190.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 2.Lantéri-Minet M, Auray JP, El Hasnaoui A, et al. Prevalence and description of chronic daily headache in the general population in France. Pain. 2003;102:143–149. doi: 10.1016/s0304-3959(02)00348-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 3.Colás R, Muñoz P, Temprano R, et al. Chronic daily headache with analgesic overuse: epidemiology and impact on quality of life. Neurology. 2004;62:1540–1544. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000120545.45443.93. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 4.Scher AI, Stewart WF, Liberman J, et al. Prevalence of frequent headache in a population sample. Headache. 1998;38:497–506. doi: 10.1046/j.1526-4610.1998.3807497.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 5.Lu SR, Fuh JL, Chen WT, Juang KD, Wang SJ. Chronic daily headache in Taipei, Taiwan: prevalence, follow up and outcome predictors. Cephalalgia. 2001;21:980–986. doi: 10.1046/j.1468-2982.2001.00294.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 6.Zwart JA, Dyb G, Hagen K, Svebak S, Holmen J. Analgesic use: a predictor of chronic pain and medication overuse headache: the Head-HUNT Study. Neurology. 2003;61:160–164. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000069924.69078.8d. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 7.Sjaastad O. “Chronic daily headache” (“cefalea cronica quotidiana”) Cephalalgia. 1985;5(Suppl 2):191–193. doi: 10.1177/03331024850050S238. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 8.Peters GA, Horton BT. Headache: with special reference to the excessive use of ergotamine preparations and withdrawal effects. Mayo Clin Proc. 1951;26:153–161. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 9.Horton BT, Peters GA. Clinical manifestations of excessive use of ergotamine preparations and management of withdrawal effect: report of 52 cases. Headache. 1963;3:214–226. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.1963.hed0204214.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 10.Diener H-C, Limmroth V. Medication-overuse headache: a worldwide problem. Lancet Neurol. 2004;3:475–483. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(04)00824-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 11.Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society Classification and diagnostic criteria for headache disorders, cranial neuralgias and facial pain. Cephalalgia. 1988;8:1–93. doi: 10.1046/j.1468-2982.1988.0801001.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 12.Konno S, Meyer J, Margishvili G, Rauch R, Haque A. Transformed migraine is a cause of chronic daily headaches. Headache. 1999;39:95–100. doi: 10.1046/j.1526-4610.1999.3902095.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 13.Diener HC, Dahlof CG. Headache associated with chronic use of substances. In: Olesen J, Tfelt Hansen P, Welch KM, editors. The headaches. 2. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins; 1999. pp. 871–878. [Google Scholar]
  • 14.Diener HC. A personal view of the classification and definition of drug dependence headache. Cephalalgia. 1993;13(Suppl 12):68–71. doi: 10.1177/0333102493013S1215. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 15.Silberstein SD, Lipton RB, Sliwinski M. Classification of daily and near-daily headaches: field trial of revised IHS criteria. Neurology. 1996;47:871–875. doi: 10.1212/wnl.47.4.871. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 16.International Headache Society The international classification of headache disorders: 2nd edition. Cephalalgia. 2004;24(Suppl 1):9–160. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-2982.2003.00824.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 17.Silberstein S, Olesen J, Bousser MG, et al. The international classification of headache disorders 2nd ed. (ICHD-II). Revision of criteria for 8.2 medication-overuse headache. Cephalalgia. 2005;25:460–465. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-2982.2005.00878.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 18.Olesen J, Bousser MG, Diener HC, et al. New appendix criteria open for a broader concept of chronic migraine. Cephalalgia. 2006;26:742–746. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-2982.2006.01172.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 19.Limmroth V, Katsarava Z. Medication overuse headache. Curr Opin Neurol. 2004;17:301–306. doi: 10.1097/00019052-200406000-00011. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 20.Schwarz A, Farber U, Glaeske GM. Daten zu Analgetikakonsum und Analgetikanephropathie in der Bundesrepublik. Öffentliches Gesundheitswesen. 1985;47:298. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 21.Gutzwiller F, Zemp E. Der Analgetikakonsum in der Bevölkerung und socioökonomische Aspekte des Analgetikaabusus. In: Mihatsch MJ, editor. Das Analgetikasyndrom. Thieme: Stuttgart; 1986. p. 197. [Google Scholar]
  • 22.Zwart JA, Dyb G, Hagen K, Svebak S, Stovner LJ, Holmen J. Analgesic overuse among subjects with headache, neck, and low-back pain. Neurology. 2004;62:1540–1544. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000123262.96132.fc. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 23.Diener HC, Tfelt-Hansen P. Headaches associated with chronic use of substances. In: Olesen J, Tfelt-Hansen P, Welch KMA, editors. The headaches. New York: Raven Press; 1993. pp. 721–727. [Google Scholar]
  • 24.Silberstein SD, Lipton RB, Solomon S, Mathew NT. Classification of daily and near-daily headaches: proposed revisions to the IHS criteria. Headache. 1994;34:1–7. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.1994.hed3401001.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 25.Mathew N, Stubits E, Nigam MR. Transformation of episodic migraine into daily headache: analysis of factors. Headache. 1982;22:66–68. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.1982.hed2202066.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 26.Mathew N, Reuveni U, Pérez F. Transformed or evolutive migraine. Headache. 1987;27:102–106. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.1987.hed2702102.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 27.Saper JR, Dodick D, Gladstone JP. Management of chronic daily headache: challenges in clinical practice. Headache. 2005;45(Suppl 1):S74–S85. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2005.4501004.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 28.Meskunas CA, Tepper SJ, Rapoport AM, Sheftell FD, Bigal ME. Medications associated with probable medication overuse headache reported in a tertiary care headache center over a 15-year period. Headache. 2006;46:766–772. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2006.00442.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 29.Granella F, Farina S, Malferrari G, Manzoni GC. Drug abuse in chronic headache: a clinical-epidemiologic study. Cephalalgia. 1987;7:15–19. doi: 10.1046/j.1468-2982.1987.0701015.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 30.Micieli G, Manzoni GC, Granella F, et al. Clinical and epidemiological observations on drug abuse in headache patients. In: Diener HC, Wilkinson M, et al., editors. Drug-induced headache. New York: Springer; 1988. pp. 20–28. [Google Scholar]
  • 31.Pascual J, Berciano J. Cefalea crónica diaria de pacientes migrañosos inducida por abuso de analgésicos-ergotamínicos: respuesta a un protocolo de tratamiento ambulatorio. Neurologia. 1993;8:212–215. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 32.Rapoport A, Stang P, Gutterman DL, et al. Analgesic rebound headache in clinical practice: data from a physician survey. Headache. 1996;36:14–19. doi: 10.1046/j.1526-4610.1996.3601014.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 33.Prencipe M, Casini AR, Ferretti C, et al. Prevalence of headache in an elderly population: attack frequency, disability, and use of medication. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2001;70:377–381. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.70.3.377. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 34.Wang SJ, Fuh JL, Lu SR, et al. Chronic daily headache in Chinese elderly: prevalence, risk factors, and biannual follow-up. Neurology. 2000;54:314–319. doi: 10.1212/wnl.54.2.314. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 35.Queiroz LP, Barea LM, Blank N. An epidemiological study of headache in Florianopolis, Brazil. Cephalalgia. 2005;26:122–127. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-2982.2005.00998.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 36.Queiroz LP, Peres MF, Kowacs F, et al. Chronic daily headache in Brazil: a nationwide population-study. Cephalalgia. 2008;28:1264–1269. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-2982.2008.01670.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 37.Morillo LE, Alarcon F, Aranaga N, et al. Clinical characteristics and patterns of medication use of migraneurs in Latin America from 12 cities in 6 countries. Headache. 2005;45:118–126. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2005.05025.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 38.Baumgartner C, Wessely P, Bingöl C, Maly J, Holzner F. Longterm prognosis of analgesic withdrawal in patients with drug-induced headaches. Headache. 1989;29:510–514. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.1989.hed2908510.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 39.Mathew NT, Kurman R, Perez F. Drug induced refractory headache: clinical features and management. Headache. 1990;30:634–638. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.1990.hed3010634.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 40.Diener HC, Bühler K, Dichgans J, et al. Analgetikainduzierter Dauerkopfschmerz. Existiert eine kritische Dosis? Arzneimitteltherapie. 1988;6:156–164. [Google Scholar]
  • 41.Kaube H, May A, Diener HC, Pfaffenrath V. Sumatriptan misuse in daily chronic headache. Br Med J. 1994;308:1573–1574. doi: 10.1136/bmj.308.6943.1573d. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 42.Pini LA, Trenti T. Case report: does chronic use of sumatriptan induce dependence? Headache. 1994;34:600–601. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.1994.hed3410600.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 43.Catarci T, Fiacco F, Argentino C, Sette G, Cerbo R. Ergotamine-induced headache can be sustained by sumatriptan daily intake. Cephalalgia. 1994;14:374–375. doi: 10.1046/j.1468-2982.1994.1405374.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 44.Limmroth V, Katsarava Z, Fritsche G, Diener H-C. Headache after frequent use of new 5-HT agonists zolmitriptan and naratriptan. Lancet. 1999;353:378. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(05)74950-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 45.Limmroth V, Katsarava Z, Fritsche G, Przywara S, Diener H-C. Features of medication overuse headache following overuse of different acute headache drugs. Neurology. 2002;59:1011–1014. doi: 10.1212/wnl.59.7.1011. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 46.Bigal ME, Rapoport AM, Sheftell FD, Tepper SJ, Lipton RB. Transformed migraine and medication overuse in a tertiary headache centre—clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes. Cephalalgia. 2004;24:483–490. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-2982.2004.00691.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 47.Gaist D, Hallas J, Sindrup SH, Gram LF. Is overuse of sumatriptan a problem? A population-based study. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1996;3:161–165. doi: 10.1007/s002280050086. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 48.Evers S, Bauer B, Suhr B, Wieser T, Husstedt I (1997) The epidemiology of sumatriptan abuse. In: Olesen J, Tfelt-Hansen P (eds) Headache treatment: trial methodology and new drugs (Frontiers in headache research, vol 6). Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, pp 149–52
  • 49.Lucas C, Auray JP, Gaudin AF, et al. Use and misuse of triptans in France: data from the GRIM2000 population survey. Cephalalgia. 2004;24:197–205. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-2982.2003.00651.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 50.Hershey AD. Chronic daily headaches in children. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2003;4:485–491. doi: 10.1517/14656566.4.4.485. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 51.Hering-Hanit R, Gadoth N. Caffeine-induced headache in children and adolescents. Cephalalgia. 2003;23:332–335. doi: 10.1046/j.1468-2982.2003.00576.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 52.Symon DN. Twelve cases of analgesic headache. Arch Dis Child. 1998;78:555–556. doi: 10.1136/adc.78.6.555. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 53.Wang SJ, Fuh JL, Lu SR, Juang KD. Chronic daily headache in adolescents. Prevalence, impact, and medication overuse. Neurology. 2006;66:193–197. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000183555.54305.fd. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 54.Moore AJ, Shevell M. Chronic daily headaches in pediatric neurology practice. J Child Neurol. 2004;19:925–929. doi: 10.1177/08830738040190120301. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from The Journal of Headache and Pain are provided here courtesy of BMC

RESOURCES