OBJECTIVE: To describe the variability in diagnostic testing and treatment of headaches in children presenting to the emergency department (ED) with use of a nationally representative sample. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study using the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey during 2005-2009. To assess the use of evidence-based treatment, we analyzed all patients <18 years old in 2 groups: (1) primary discharge diagnosis of headache and (2) discharge diagnosis of migraine. RESULTS: Four hundred forty-eight sampled ED visits from 2005-2009 represented a national estimate of 1.7 million visits with a discharge diagnosis of headache. A total of 95 visits represented a national estimate of 340 000 visits with a discharge diagnosis of migraine. Median age was 13.1 years and 60% were female with a primary diagnosis of headache. In this group, neuroimaging was performed in 37% of patients and 39% underwent blood tests. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opioids were most commonly used for treatment. For children with a discharge diagnosis of migraine, approximately 40% of patients received non-evidence-based treatment, most commonly with opioid medications, and >20% of patients underwent computed tomography scanning. CONCLUSIONS: There is significant variability in the evaluation and treatment of pediatric headache in the ED. Despite evidence-based clinical guidelines for migraine headache, a large number of children continue to receive opioids and ionizing radiation in the ED.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the variability in diagnostic testing and treatment of headaches in children presenting to the emergency department (ED) with use of a nationally representative sample. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study using the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey during 2005-2009. To assess the use of evidence-based treatment, we analyzed all patients <18 years old in 2 groups: (1) primary discharge diagnosis of headache and (2) discharge diagnosis of migraine. RESULTS: Four hundred forty-eight sampled ED visits from 2005-2009 represented a national estimate of 1.7 million visits with a discharge diagnosis of headache. A total of 95 visits represented a national estimate of 340 000 visits with a discharge diagnosis of migraine. Median age was 13.1 years and 60% were female with a primary diagnosis of headache. In this group, neuroimaging was performed in 37% of patients and 39% underwent blood tests. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opioids were most commonly used for treatment. For children with a discharge diagnosis of migraine, approximately 40% of patients received non-evidence-based treatment, most commonly with opioid medications, and >20% of patients underwent computed tomography scanning. CONCLUSIONS: There is significant variability in the evaluation and treatment of pediatric headache in the ED. Despite evidence-based clinical guidelines for migraineheadache, a large number of children continue to receive opioids and ionizing radiation in the ED.
Authors: Daniel S Tsze; Andrea T Cruz; Rakesh D Mistry; Ariana E Gonzalez; Julie B Ochs; Lawrence Richer; Nathan Kuppermann; Peter S Dayan Journal: J Pediatr Date: 2020-06 Impact factor: 4.406
Authors: Paul L Aronson; Derek J Williams; Cary Thurm; Joel S Tieder; Elizabeth R Alpern; Lise E Nigrovic; Amanda C Schondelmeyer; Fran Balamuth; Angela L Myers; Russell J McCulloh; Evaline A Alessandrini; Samir S Shah; Whitney L Browning; Katie L Hayes; Elana A Feldman; Mark I Neuman Journal: J Hosp Med Date: 2015-08-06 Impact factor: 2.960