Abstract

Background
Primary headaches such as migraine is tend to be neglected by a physician in the emergency department (ED) due to limited resources and low priority. In this study, the frequency of primary headache patients in the ED is figured and evaluates current management status for primary headache in the ED. Methods: We retrospectively selected 137 non-traumatic headache patients were presented to the ED of Hospital in 2008, based on diagnosis by a physician in the ED at discharge. Among the patients with non-traumatic headache, patients with secondary headaches were excluded. Evaluation of demographic characteristics, previous history, ED management and status of non-traumatic primary headaches patient those who visit out-patient clinic after discharge Emergency Department were included. Results: Out of 137 non-traumatic headache patients, 80 patients(58.4%) were diagnosed of primary headaches: 73.8% were women and the mean age was 40±15.7 years. Forty-two patients(52.5%) had previous history of headache. Fifty- eight patients(72.5%) were prescribed simple analgesics or anti-emetics in the ED and 17(21.2%) visited out-patient clinic after their discharge. Presumed diagnoses at the ED were migraine in 20 patients, tension type headache in 29, cluster headache in 1, trigeminal neuralgia in 2 and unclassified in 28 patients. Conclusion: Primary headaches are common in the patients presenting to the ER with non-traumatic headaches. Hence, in order to get specific diagnosis or to consider preventive therapy, visits to out-patient clinic might be recommended.