The relation of adherence to the DASH diet with migraine attack frequency and pain intensity in Iranian women: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Migraine is a debilitating neurological discomfort characterized by moderate to severe unilateral headaches. Adherence to healthy dietary patterns like the DASH diet has been considered a complementary solution to migraine management. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we assessed the relation of adherence to the DASH diet with migraine attack frequency and pain intensity in women with migraine. METHODS: 285 female women with migraine were recruited in the current study. Migraine was diagnosed by a single neurologist based on the third edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-III). Migraine attack frequency was determined based on the number of attacks per month. Pain intensity was assessed by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and migraine index. Last year dietary intakes of women were collected using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). RESULTS: Almost 91% of the women had migraine without aura. Most of the participants reported more than 15 attacks per month (40.7%) and pain intensity in the range of 8-10 in every attack (55.4%). Based on the ordinal regression, those in the first tertile of the DASH score had significantly higher odds for attack frequency (OR = 1.88; 95% CI: 1.11-3.18; P = .02) and migraine index score (OR = 1.69; 95% CI: 1.02-2.79; P = .04, respectively) than those in the third tertile. CONCLUSION: This study showed that a higher DASH score is associated with a lower migraine attack frequency and migraine index score in female sufferers.

Association between healthy eating index-2015 scores and metabolic syndrome among Iranian women: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is one of the leading public health issues in the world with a reported prevalence of nearly 25% in the past decades in Iran. The present research aimed to identify the association between the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) and MetS components among female teachers. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 97 female teachers aged 31-57 years were enrolled from 2018 to 2019 in Qom, Iran. Usual dietary intakes were assessed using a validated 168-item Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). HEI-2015 was calculated according to the consumption of whole fruits, vegetables, protein foods, beans, seafood, plant proteins, total and refined grain, dairy, fatty acid ratio, saturated fats, added sugars, and sodium. We also measured anthropometric and biochemical parameters. To evaluate the association between HEI-2015 and MetS, multivariate logistic regression was performed. RESULTS: MetS was found in 59.8% of participants. Total HEI-2015 scores were significantly lower in participants with MetS compared to those without MetS (59.69 ± 8.98 vs. 64.21 ± 8.71, respectively; p = 0.02). Daily energy intake, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, serum triglyceride, and fasting blood sugar levels were higher in women with MetS (all p < 0.05). Higher HEI-2015 total scores (OR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.89-0.99; p = 0.02) and scores of total vegetables (OR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.42-0.91; p = 0.02), dark green vegetables and beans (OR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.39-0.98; p = 0.04), fatty acid ratio (OR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.68-0.99; p = 0.04), refined grain (OR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.75-0.99; p = 0.04), and added sugars (OR: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.26-0.75; p = 0.002) were all associated with lower odds of having MetS. CONCLUSIONS: Higher HEI-2015 scores, particularly in total vegetables, dark green vegetables, beans, and fatty acid ratio, as well as refined grain and added sugars were found to be associated with reduced odds of having MetS among Iranian female teachers. However, further prospective studies are required to confirm this finding.

Expression pattern of miR-193a, miR122, miR155, miR-15a, and miR146a in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of children with obesity and their relation to some metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers.

BACKGROUND: The widespread presence of childhood obesity has increased considerably over three decades. The present study was designed to investigate expression patterns of miR-146a, miR-155, miR-15a, miR-193a, and miR-122 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in children who are obese along with their association with metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers. METHODS: Ninety test subjects were admitted. The profile of blood pressure, resting energy expenditure (REE), anthropometric measures, body composition, dietary intakes, physical activity levels, insulin, and lipid profile, fasting blood glucose (FBG), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and pubertal stage have been measured. Total RNA (including small RNAs) was extracted from PBMCs. The expression levels of miRNAs were measured by stem-loop RT-qPCR. RESULTS: The miR-155a expression level was significantly lower in obese children, children with high hs-CRP, and children with high-fat mass. Obese girls had significantly higher PBMC levels of miR-122. MiR-155a had a significant negative association with fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and hs-CRP. There were significant positive associations between miR-193a and miR-122 expression levels and fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and TG. MiR-15a was positively correlated with fasting insulin and HOMA-IR. Children with metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and high-fat mass had higher PBMC levels of miR-122 and miR-193a. Higher miR-193a and miR-122 levels were also detected in PBMCs of children with fast REE, compared to those with slow REE, and the subjects with high hs-CRP, respectively. CONCLUSION: lower level of miR-155 expression in obese subjects and significant associations unfolds the need for more studies to detect the possible underlying mechanisms.

The association of dietary total antioxidant capacity with migraine attack frequency in women.

AIMS: There is substantial evidence considering oxidative stress as one of the migraine pathogeneses. It seems higher dietary antioxidant intake could modulate migraine symptoms in sufferers. Therefore, we assessed the relationship between the dietary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and migraine attack frequency. METHOD: 289 volunteer women with migraine were recruited. The usual participants' dietary intakes were collected using a validated food frequency questionnaire. The dietary total antioxidant capacity of women was determined via three different indices including dTAC, DAI, and DAQs. dTAC was calculated based on the USDA oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) database. The dietary intakes of vitamins A, E, C, selenium, zinc, and manganese were applied for calculating the DAI (Dietary Antioxidant Index) and DAQs (Dietary Antioxidant Quality score). The multivariate-adjusted ordinal regression was used to assess the relation of three indices scores with migraine attack frequency. RESULTS: a lower score of dTAC was associated with a higher attack frequency [OR (95%CI) model3= 1.97(1.1-3.54), P-value= 0.02]. The women with DAQs= 1 and 3 had significantly higher migraine attack frequency compared to women with DAQs = 5 [DAQs = 1: OR (95%CI) model 3= 8.59 (1.06- 69.72), P-value = 0.04] and [DAQs = 3: OR (95%CI) model 3= 2.09 (1.13- 3.85), P-value= 0.02]. Moreover, the trend of changes among the DAQs and dTAC levels was significant (P-values for trend < 0.05). There was no significant association between tertiles of DAI and migraine attack frequency (P-value> 0.05). CONCLUSION: A high-quality diet in terms of antioxidant capacity is related to lower attack frequency in migrainous women.

The association of dietary patterns with migraine attack frequency in migrainous women.

Objectives: Migraine is a debilitating neurovascular disorder. The relation of diets and migraine is a controversial topic yet. This study assessed the association of dietary patterns of migrainous women with attack frequency. Methods: In this cross sectional study 285 volunteer migrainous women (25-55 years old) based on the third edition of International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3) recruited from neurology clinics of Golestan Hospital in Ahwaz, Iran. For collecting the data, the patients were interviewed. Dietary patterns of participants were assessed using a validated semi quantitative food frequency questionnaire which included 168 food items. Extraction of dietary patterns was performed using factor analysis. The association between dietary patterns and migraine attack frequency was analyzed by ordinal regression. Results: Two major dietary patterns which were extracted include the "western" and the "healthy" patterns. After adjustment for confounders, subjects with high adherence to healthy pattern had lower attack frequency (OR: 1.09; 95% CI: [0.51-2.25]; P for trend = 0.04); whereas, subjects with high adherence to western pattern had more attack frequency (OR: 0.89; 95% CI: [0.42-1.88]; P for trend = 0.02) significantly. Conclusions: Based on the results, adherence to healthy dietary pattern in migrainous women may be effective in controlling migraine attacks.

The association of dietary patterns with endocannabinoids levels in overweight and obese women.

BACKGROUND: Higher levels of anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), the main arachidonic acid-derived endocannabinoids, are frequently reported in overweight and obese individuals. Recently, endocannabinoids have become a research interest in obesity area regarding their role in food intake. The relationship between dietary patterns and endocannabinoids is poorly understood; therefore, this study evaluated the association of the dietary patterns with AEA and 2-AG levels in overweight and obese women. METHODS: In this cross sectional study, 183 overweight and obese females from Tabriz, Iran who aged between 19 and 50 years old and with mean BMI = 32.44 ± 3.79 kg/m2 were interviewed. The AEA and 2-AG levels were measured, and the dietary patterns were assessed using food frequency questionnaire. To extract the dietary patterns, factor analysis was applied. The association between AEA and 2-AG levels and dietary patterns was analyzed by linear regression. RESULTS: Three major dietary patterns including "Western", "healthy", and "traditional" were extracted. After adjusting for age, physical activity, BMI, waist circumference, and fat mass, higher levels of AEA and 2-AG were observed in participants who were in the highest quintile of the Western pattern (P <  0.05). Also, in both unadjusted and adjusted models, significantly lower levels of AEA and 2-AG were detected in the women of the highest quintile of the healthy pattern (P <  0.01). Moreover, there was no significant association between "traditional" pattern and AEA and 2- AG levels in both unadjusted and adjusted models (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In regard with the lower levels of endocannabinoids in healthy dietary pattern, adherence to healthy pattern might have promising results in regulating endocannabinoids levels.

Comparison of Diet Quality Between Women With Chronic and Episodic Migraine.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Different triggers including environmental, hormonal, and dietary factors have been introduced as migraine risk factors. There is some evidence to suggest that a high quality of diet could be effective regarding management of migraine. In this present study, we hypothesized that the diet quality of women with chronic migraine (CM) might be different from women with episodic migraine (EM). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 116 women with chronic and 169 women with episodic migraine (25-55 years old) were recruited from the neurology clinics of Golestan hospital in Ahvaz (southwest Iran) based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders-III. Anthropometric data including weight, height, waist, and hip circumference were measured. Dietary intake data were obtained using a reliable and valid semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire that included 168 food items. The diet quality of subjects was calculated using the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015). RESULTS: The mean HEI score of participants was 57.29 ± 7.98. The participants were classified into 3 groups of "poor," "needs improvement," and "good" based on their diet quality. The frequencies of each group were 50/285 (17.5%), 233/285 (81.8%), and 2/285 (0.7%), respectively. Moreover, the mean of HEI score in women with CM was significantly lower than women with EM (55.93 ± 7.90 vs 58.93 ± 7.93, P = .02). Moreover, there was a significant negative association between CM and HEI score of women (ß = -2.03; 95% CI: [-3.97 to -0.10]; P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: Women with CM had a lower diet quality than that of EM. Moreover, CM was significantly and inversely associated with HEI score in women.

Association of dietary and lifestyle inflammation score (DLIS) with chronic migraine in women: a cross-sectional study.

Due to more frequent and intense attacks, chronic migraine (CM) sufferers usually report more disability compared to patients with episodic migraine (EM). There is increasing evidence that points to inflammatory diet and lifestyle as a probable underlying cause of migraine. The present study investigated the association of dietary and lifestyle inflammation scores (DLIS) with the odds of CM in Iranian women. In the current study, 285 women with migraine enrolled. Migraine was diagnosed by a single neurologist based on the third edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-III). The women were categorized into CM and EM groups based on their attack frequency per month. Adherence to the dietary inflammation score (DIS), Lifestyle Inflammatory Score (LIS), and DLIS (DIS + LIS) was assessed based on last year's dietary intakes collected using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The Odds Ratio (OR) for CM across the DIS, LIS, and DLIS tertiles were assessed through logistic regression. Most of the participants were overweight or obese (74.4%). The percentage of women with CM was 40.7%. Women with CM had significantly higher DIS (P = 0.002) and DLIS (P = 0.04) than women with EM. There was a significant positive association between CM and DIS. Those in the third tertile of the DIS had almost two times higher chance of experiencing chronic migraine compared with those in the first tertile [OR = 2.02; 95% CI 1.06-3.82; P = 0.03]. the P-value for the trend also was significant (0.03). In terms of LIS and DLIS tertiles, no significant association was observed. Adherence to the more inflammatory diets was associated with higher chances of experiencing CM in women.

The comparison of the main dietary and non-dietary trigger factors in women with chronic and episodic migraine.

AIMS: Migraine is one of the most common neurological diseases and the second cause of disability worldwide. Various trigger factors have been reported in different populations. The current study was designed to extract the main trigger factors using factor analysis, and compare the chronic and episodic patient scores for every extracted pattern. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 300 migrainous women (25-55 years old) participated. A constructed 46-item Likert questionnaire was developed to assess the primary triggers. The validity of the designed questionnaire was assessed by Content Validity Ratio and Content Validity Index coefficients. The test-retest method was employed to assess reliability. The exploratory factor analysis was performed to extract patterns of correlation among 46 triggers. Each participant was given a score for every extracted pattern. The mean scores of chronic and episodic patients were compared using the Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: The mean body mass index of participants was 28.17 ± 5.44 kg/m2 . Most participants (90.7%) had migraine without aura. Four factors were extracted using factor analysis that explained 22.37% of the total variance: (1) environmental and behavioural factors; (2) condiments; (3) nitrite, tyramine and caffeine; and (4) fats. None of these factors explained the difference between chronic and episodic migrainous women. CONCLUSIONS: The current study suggests that environmental and behavioural factors, relative to dietary triggers, play an essential role in causing migraine in women and more than dietary triggers. The most important triggers did not differ between episodic and chronic migrainous women.