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Controversy over the classification of medication-overuse headache.
1Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Avenida das Américas 1155, Room 504, CEP 22631-000, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. vincent@ufrj.br
Current Pain and Headache Reports
|November 10, 2011
Summary
Medication-overuse headache (MOH) is a common disorder affecting 1-2% of the population. Current diagnostic criteria for MOH are less restrictive, allowing diagnosis without medication withdrawal confirmation.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Medication-overuse headache (MOH) affects 1-2% of the population.
- MOH is characterized by daily or near-daily headaches due to chronic acute medication use.
- Diagnosing MOH is challenging due to the absence of objective biomarkers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and discuss the current diagnostic criteria for MOH.
- To emphasize the clinical and pathophysiological basis of MOH as a distinct secondary headache disorder.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical grounds and existing research on MOH.
- Analysis of the evolution of diagnostic criteria for MOH.
Main Results:
- Current MOH diagnostic criteria are less restrictive than previous versions.
- Diagnosis is now possible without requiring confirmation after medication withdrawal.
- MOH remains a distinct secondary disorder based on clinical and pathophysiological evidence.
Conclusions:
- MOH is a significant secondary headache disorder.
- Diagnostic criteria have evolved, becoming less restrictive.
- Further research is needed in this field.
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