Trends in the Ambulatory Management of Headache: Analysis of NAMCS and NHAMCS Data 1999–2010

Background Headache is a frequent complaint and among the most common reasons for visiting a physician. Objective To characterize trends from 1999 through 2010 in the management of headache. Design Longitudinal trends analysis. Data Nationally representative sample of visits to clinicians for headache from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, excluding visits with “red flags,” such as neurologic deficit, cancer, or trauma. Main Measures Use of advanced imaging (CT/MRI), opioids/barbiturates, and referrals to other physicians (guideline-discordant indicators), as well as counseling on lifestyle modifications and use of preventive medications including verapamil, topiramate, amitriptyline, or propranolol (guideline-concordant during study period). We analyzed results using logistic regression, adjusting for patient and clinician characteristics, and weighted to reflect U.S. population estimates. Additionally, we stratified findings based on migraine versus non-migraine, acute versus chronic symptoms, and whether the clinician self-identified as the primary care physician. Key Results We identified 9,362 visits for headache, representing an estimated 144 million visits during the study period. Nearly three-quarters of patients were female, and the mean age was approximately 46 years. Use of CT/MRI rose from 6.7 % of visits in 1999–2000 to 13.9 % in 2009–2010 (unadjusted p