Awareness, attitudes, and clinical practices related to medication-overuse headache among Italian pharmacists: results from a cross-sectional survey
Abstract
Background: Medication-overuse headache (MOH) is a frequent, disabling, and largely preventable secondary headache disorder, most associated with pre-existing migraine. Since many patients rely on over-the-counter medications and experience long delays before specialist referral, community pharmacists represent key frontline professionals in the identification, counseling, and prevention of medication overuse and MOH. However, data on pharmacists' knowledge and practices regarding migraine and MOH in Italy are still lacking.
Methods: We conducted a nationwide, cross-sectional survey among Italian pharmacists and pharmacy students using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. The survey assessed demographic characteristics, knowledge of migraine and MOH, dispensing and counseling practices, screening for medication overuse, and referral behaviors. A composite scoring system, the Migraine and Medication Overuse Headache Knowledge and Awareness Scale (MMKAS; range 0-23), was developed by expert consensus to evaluate knowledge and professional behavior. Group comparisons were conducted using independent t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests and categorical variables were analyzed using chi-square tests with standardized residual post-hoc analysis. For comparisons across more than two groups, one-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis tests were applied, followed by adjusted post-hoc tests. A multivariable linear regression model was performed to identify independent predictors of total…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 271 participants or records.
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