Medication-overuse headache
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Clinical characteristics of patients with medication-overuse headache: Birmingham Headache Centre
IRAS ID
334557
Contact name
Benjamin R Wakerley
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospitals Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 28 days
Research summary
The observation that acute painkillers (e.g. Paracetamol) commonly used to treat headache, especially migraine, can themselves cause headache is a paradox that over the years has led to significant confusion and frustration among both doctors and patients. Furthermore, so-called medication-overuse headache (MOH) is extremely common and difficult to treat.
The exact cause of MOH remains unknown and other than reducing painkiller usage, there are no specific treatments. Education of patients and healthcare professionals therefore remains the single most important strategy for preventing MOH.
The Birmingham Headache Centre is a large tertiary referral clinic, which serves the population of the West Midlands. Most patients (>90%) have chronic migraine. A recent review of our headache database indicated that approximately 30% of patients also have MOH.
Using an internet-based survey, we aim to study the characteristics of 250 patients with MOH attending the Birmingham Headache Centre.
We are particularly interested in:
What headache characteristics do patients with MOH have?
What knowledge patients have of MOH?
How MOH is impacting on quality of life?This data will provide a better understanding of which patients with MOH are referred to our headache clinic and will help to develop future treatment strategies and preventative teaching programmes.
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/NE/0154
Date of REC Opinion
12 Aug 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion