Aljafen Bandar Nasser, Alkahwaji Jodi Mohamad, Alamoudi Sarah Amin, Jamous Shaimaa Tawfik, Almesfer Sara Mohammed, Alanazi Aljohrah Sultan, Al-Aidaros Fatima Yahya
Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
College of Medicine, Dar Al Uloom University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Brain Behav. 2025 Aug;15(8):e70724. doi: 10.1002/brb3.70724.
Migraine is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent headaches resulting from abnormal regulation of sensory input to the head. Self-medication (SM) is a prevalent practice among healthcare providers (HCPs), with potentially detrimental consequences. This study aims to investigate SM practices among HCPs in Saudi Arabia, specifically focusing on their management of migraines.
This cross-sectional study was conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, using an electronic self-administered questionnaire. This study encompassed various categories of healthcare professionals in Riyadh.
Among the 1054 participants, 165 healthcare professionals reported SM for migraine headaches. The primary reasons for this practice included perception of having sufficient information about the disease and its management (60.0%), ease of medication access (53.9%), and busy schedule (46.7%). The most commonly overused self-prescribed medications for migraines were paracetamol (70.9%) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (43.0%), both classified as over the counter medication. Out of the 165 self-medicating HCPs with migraines, approximately half (53.2%) reported that the medication was effective in the treatment of migraine, and the majority (78.5%) reported no side effects from self-medication. The 55.8% of participants were unaware of the term "medication-overuse headaches" (MOH). SM was significantly correlated with the specialty of the HCP (p < 0.001), as was perceiving headache as a migraine (p < 0.001). Significant positive correlations were observed between certain SM drugs and the reported side effects.
A high prevalence of headache was observed among HCPs in Saudi Arabia. Perceived sufficient information about the disease and its management, accessible medications, and a busy schedule were among the most common reasons for SM among HCPs with migraines. Moreover, most participants were unfamiliar with the term MOH and needs immediate attention and implement targeted policies and educational programs, including mandatory continuing medical education (CME) focused on MOH diagnosis, and management. Additional studies are required to identify other contributing factors or unintended complications associated with SM among healthcare professionals.
偏头痛是一种神经系统疾病，其特征为因头部感觉输入的异常调节而反复出现头痛。自我药疗（SM）在医疗保健提供者（HCP）中很普遍，可能会产生有害后果。本研究旨在调查沙特阿拉伯HCP中的自我药疗行为，特别关注他们对偏头痛的管理。
这项横断面研究在沙特阿拉伯利雅得进行，使用电子自填问卷。本研究涵盖了利雅得的各类医疗专业人员。
在1054名参与者中，165名医疗保健专业人员报告有偏头痛自我药疗行为。这种行为的主要原因包括认为自己对疾病及其管理有足够的了解（60.0%）、药物获取方便（53.9%）以及日程繁忙（46.7%）。偏头痛最常被过度自我开处方的药物是对乙酰氨基酚（70.9%）和非甾体抗炎药（NSAIDs）（43.0%），这两种药物均为非处方药。在165名有偏头痛自我药疗行为的HCP中，约一半（53.2%）报告药物对偏头痛治疗有效，大多数（78.5%）报告自我药疗无副作用。55.8%的参与者不知道“药物过量使用性头痛”（MOH）这个术语。自我药疗与HCP的专业显著相关（p<0.001），将头痛视为偏头痛也与之显著相关（p<0.001）。某些自我药疗药物与报告的副作用之间存在显著正相关。
在沙特阿拉伯的HCP中观察到头痛的高患病率。认为对疾病及其管理有足够的了解、可获取药物以及日程繁忙是有偏头痛的HCP进行自我药疗的最常见原因。此外，大多数参与者不熟悉MOH这个术语，需要立即关注并实施有针对性的政策和教育项目，包括专注于MOH诊断和管理的强制性继续医学教育（CME）。需要进一步研究以确定医疗保健专业人员中与自我药疗相关的其他促成因素或意外并发症。
