ArticleCureus2026
Prevalence of Medication-Overuse Headache and Awareness of Medication Overuse Among the General Population in Western Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Article in Cureus, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
Introduction Medication-overuse headache (MOH) is a common but often underdiagnosed secondary headache disorder that develops in individuals with pre-existing headache disorders as a result of excessive use of acute headache medications. This study aims to assess the estimated prevalence and awareness of MOH among the general population in the Western region of Saudi Arabia and to explore factors associated with headache frequency and medication use. Methods An observational cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2024 to January 2025 among adults aged 19-60 years residing in Western Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using an online self-administered questionnaire distributed via social media platforms. The tool collected data on sociodemographic factors, headache patterns, medication use, and MOH awareness. A total of 518 responses were included in the final analysis. Results A total of 518 participants completed the questionnaire; 362 (69.9%) were female, with a mean age of 31.2 ± 12.9 years. Overall, 490 participants (94.6%) reported a history of headaches. The estimated prevalence of MOH was 2.4%, while awareness among participants was 20.8% (n = 109). A significant association was observed between age and headache prevalence (p = 0.004), with the highest prevalence of 97.1% (n = 165) among participants aged 20-29 years. In addition, a significant association was found between age and medication use (p = 0.049), with a progressive increase observed: medication use increased from 71.4% (n = 85) in participants under 20 years to 85.5% (n = 59) in those aged 40-49 years. These findings reflect the direction and practical impact of age-related differences. Conclusion The study found a lower estimated prevalence of MOH compared to previous national studies, while awareness remained low in Western Saudi Arabia. These findings highlight the importance of educational initiatives and improved headache management strategies to address the risks of medication overuse.
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