Title:Headache, Outpatient Management and Referral to Specialty Clinics, Clinical Audit
Volume: 1
Author(s): Sallam T. Mohammed *, Abdelgalil A. Ragab and Syed M. Tayyab
Affiliation:
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hatta Hospital. Dubai,United Arab Emirates
Keywords:
Headache, Migraine, Tension-headache, Sinusitis, Sinus pain, Refraction error.
Abstract:
Background:
Headache is one of the most common presenting symptoms for patients attending the outpatient clinics. The keystone in primary management of
cases presented with headache, and then subsequent proper referral to specialty clinics, depends on the history of the patients and clinical
examination.
Objective:
The aim of this audit is to obtain a comprehensive idea about patients presented with headaches in the Outpatient Department (OPD) clinics,
including patient's age, gender, primary management and subsequent referral to specialty clinics in Hatta hospital in order to re-evaluate and
improve our clinical approach in dealing with patients having a headache.
Methods:
This study is a retrospective study based on hospital settings and was conducted in 2015 for over one year in Hatta hospital, Dubai. We collected
information about patients who attended the OPD with headache as the primary complaint.
Results:
One hundred and eighty patients above the age of 4 years were selected. Female patients were 125(69.4%), while male patients were 55(30.6%).
The age of most patients suffering from headache range from 15 – 40 years. Hypertension was found in 20 cases, while diabetes mellitus was
diagnosed in 6 cases. Radiological studies (Plain X-ray and/or Computerized Tomography) were done in 114 patients (63.3%). The most common
causes of headaches encountered in this study were tension headache, migraine and sinusitis.
Conclusion:
The history and clinical examinations usually permit a definitive diagnosis for patients with headaches. Radiological and blood investigations were
overused in the assessment of patients. Change of lifestyle is important as part of the management plan.
