Use of the Emergency Department for Severe Headache. A Population‐Based Study

摘要: Background.— Although headache is a common emergency department (ED) chief complaint, the role of ED in management primary disorders has rarely been assessed from population perspective. We determined frequency use and risk factors for among patients suffering severe headache. Methods.— As part American Migraine Prevalence Prevention study, validated self-administered questionnaire was mailed to 24,000 sufferers, who were randomly drawn larger sample constructed be sociodemographically representative US population. Participants asked series questions on management, healthcare system use, sociodemographic features, number visits previous 12 months. In keeping with work others, “frequent” defined as particpant's report 4 or more treatment Headaches categorized into specific diagnoses using methodology. Results.— Of surveys, 18,514 returned, 13,451 (56%) provided complete data use. Sociodemographic characteristics did not differ substantially between responders nonresponders. Among responders, over course year, 12,592 (94%) visit at all, 415 (3%) visited once, 444 than once. Patients episodic tension-type less likely migraine (OR 0.4 [95% CI: 0.3, 0.6]). Frequent reported by 1% total 19% (95% 17%, 22%) subjects used although frequent users accounted 51% 49%, 53%) all visits. Predictors included markers disease severity, elevated depression scores, low socioeconomic status, predilection conditions other headache. Conclusions.— Most individuals headaches do single year. The majority are small subset users. Increasing severity most readily addressable associated