Determination of headache features and related possible effective factors in adults admitted to Primary health-care center

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine treatment modalities and features of headache in adult patients admitted to Family Health Center (FHC) in primary care.Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, which was performed in FHCs in Düzce, A survey regarding sociodemographic factors and headache features was applied to the adults aged of 18-72 years-old. The International Headache Society criteria were used for diagnosis of headache.Results: The study was performed with 97 (39.2% male, 60.8% female) subjects mean age 38.3±5.1 (18-72) years. Average age of onset was 22.2±10.8 years in males and 25.3±11.9 years in females (p>0.05). The mean duration of headache in males and females were 6.4±8.0 hours and 7.9±10.3 hours (p>0.05) respectively. Duration of drug use for headache was 11.1±9.5 years in males and 7.9±8.5 years in females (p=0.04). No significant difference was found in Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) scores between two genders. Majority of participations had high school and upper education and married. Headache was mostly in a throbbing pattern and frequently associated with phonophobia (62.9%). The participants had used drugs without prescription by physician (54.6%). The most frequently used drugs were non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and paracetamol, frequently in a combination of two or three analgesics.Conclusion: Headache started at the second decade for both genders, MIDAS scores was moderate and did not show any differences, whereas females, subjects with high school and upper education and married ones were more frequent. Majority of patients received more than two analgesic drugs without prescription.