Adherence to Prophylaxis in Patients with Chronic Headaches and Effect of Internet/Social Media Use

Objective: To determine the medication adherence rates of patients with chronic headaches to prophylaxis and the factors affecting this rate, including internet and social media use. Methods: This study was conducted in two hospitals between May and September 2021. Adult patients with chronic headaches requiring prophylaxis were recruited for this study. Demographic data, headache types/features, prophylactic drugs, Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale scores, and duration of internet/social media use (hours/day) were recorded. Medication Adherence Report scale scores, changes in headache characteristics, and drug-related adverse effects were assessed during the first month. Results: In total, 113 patients were recruited. Most patients had migraines (69%). The medication adherence rate in the first month was 72.6%. Patients with a longer duration of internet/social media use and adverse drug effects were more likely to show poor adherence (p=0.005). Decreasing baseline maximum headache severity increased the likelihood of medication non-adherence (p=0.005). Public hospital patients (p=0.036) and married patients (p=0.048) were more prone to non-adherence. Conclusion: Internet/social media use, headache severity, and medication-related side effects are the most important factors associated with medication adherence. Non-profit healthcare professionals/organizations should use the internet and social media as communication channels to increase medication adherence. Health policies need to be adjusted to allow more time for the healthcare worker-patient communication.