Medication overuse headache (MOH) is a public health problem both in Sweden[1] and in many other countries.[2] It develops in individuals with primary Neratinib research buy headache who overuse acute headache medication (analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs], triptans, opioids, and ergotamine), and it is the third most common headache disorder after tension-type headache (TTH) and migraine.[3] Women are more prone to developing MOH than men, and the prevalence is highest in the productive age of 40–50 years.[1] Further, low socioeconomic status has been found to be related
to a higher prevalence of MOH.[1] Recommended treatment for MOH is abrupt withdrawal or tapering down, ie, a discontinuation of acute medication or a reduction to <10 days per month.[4] A previous Swedish study found that many of those with MOH have limited contact with health care, and medications used are to a large extent over-the-counter selleck (OTC) medications.[5] Pharmacists
may therefore have an important role in advising these individuals about their medication use, the importance of withdrawal, and non-pharmacological treatment for headache. Ever since 2009, OTC medications in Sweden have been freely sold both at general stores and in pharmacies. The Swedish eHealth Agency reports that 76% of all OTC medications are sold by pharmacies and that analgesics are the most commonly sold medication.[6] There is some previous research on the role of pharmacy staff in advising on headache treatment. In a US survey, 85% of community pharmacists made at least one OTC suggestion related to headache every day, but pharmacists’ knowledge on MCE current migraine treatment was
limited.[7] Inadequate knowledge about migraine management among pharmacy staff was also found in a recent study from Thailand.[8] A prospective cohort study investigated the outcomes in individuals suffering from MOH seeking pharmacists’ advice and reported a lower intake of medication and frequency of headache 3 months later.[9] Little is, however, known about the actual level of knowledge about MOH among pharmacy staff, which determines the quality of their advice to MOH sufferers. The aim of this study was to investigate knowledge about MOH among pharmacy staff. Knowledge can be measured through both direct and indirect measures,[10] where self-perception is regarded as an indirect measure. A previous study found that self-reports and objective tests are equally valid for measuring the knowledge levels of people who have had formal training in the domain of interest.[10] The source of knowledge about MOH will therefore be taken into consideration in the analyses.