Comparison of Mean Duration of PDPH (Post-Dural Puncture Headache) and Mean Length of Hospital Stay by Theophylline and Sumatriptan in the Treatment of Post-Dural Puncture Headache.

Abstract

Objective: To compare mean duration of PDPH and mean length of hospital stay by Theophylline and sumatriptan in the treatment of Post-Dural puncture Headache. Study Design: Quasi Experimental study. Setting: Department of Anesthesia, Allied Hospital Faisalabad. Period: January 2025 to July 2025. Methods: After taking written informed consent, 60 patients diagnosed with PDPH were enrolled. Participants were assigned into two groups of 30 each. Group A received oral theophylline anhydrous 150 mg, while Group B received oral sumatriptan succinate 25 mg; every 12 hours continued until NRS <3 or maximum of 48 hours. PDPH onset and duration were recorded in hours, and hospital stay in days. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0. Results: No significant difference was observed in hospital stay (Group A: 3.38 ± 0.87 days vs. Group B: 3.22 ± 0.75 days; p=0.449) or PDPH duration (Group A: 15.57 ± 4.57 hours vs. Group B: 14.45 ± 3.36 hours; p=0.285). Stratified analysis revealed significantly longer PDPH duration in Group A among patients with BMI ≤24 kg/m² (17.45 ± 2.71 vs. 14.17 ± 3.01 hours; p=0.01), male patients (16.52 ± 4.34 vs. 13.75 ± 3.47 hours; p=0.03), and those receiving 22G needles (16.35 ± 3.35 vs. 13.40 ± 3.64 hours; p=0.039). Conclusion: Both oral theophylline and sumatriptan were effective in managing PDPH. However, sumatriptan demonstrated slightly better outcomes, particularly in male patients, those with lower BMI, and those receiving 22G needles. These findings suggest that sumatriptan may be preferred in specific subgroups to reduce PDPH duration.