The association between dietary glycemic index and disease severity among the women with episodic migraine.

PURPOSE: To our knowledge, no studies have evaluated the association between dietary glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) with migraine-related clinical symptoms. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 266 women with episodic migraine. The migraine disability assessment (MIDAS) was used to evaluate migraine-related disability in the recent three months. Visual analogue scales (VAS) were also employed to examine migraine-related pains. Glycemic index and glycemic load indices were calculated using the nutritional information obtained from the food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: The study participants had a mean age of 34.32 ± 7.86 years. It was observed that individuals in the quartile 4 of GI and GL reported significantly higher consumption of calories, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats (P < 0.05). In the unadjusted models, those in the quartile 4 of GI and GL had significantly increased odds of experiencing severe pain (based on VAS score) (OR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.37-2.70, P < 0.001 for dietary GI, and OR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.16-2.79, P = 0.005 for dietary GL). Additionally, compared to participants in the quartile 1 of GI and GL, those in the quartile 4 of GI and GL were more likely to suffer from severe disability (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We found a significant positive correlation between the consumption of foods with higher GI and GL and the clinical conditions related to migraine disease. However, due to the cross-sectional nature of the study, it is not possible to establish a cause-and-effect relationship for the observed results.

The relationship between dietary nutrients patterns and intensity and duration of migraine headaches.

Migraine is a complicated brain disorder which affects approximately 12 % of the population, whilst the presence of migraine headaches is typically higher in women than men. Several nutrients are posited to improve headache severity. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between dietary nutrients patterns and intensity and duration of migraine headaches. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 266 women. Physical activity, general characteristics, anthropometric values and dietary intake were collected. Nutrient patterns were derived using principal component analysis with varimax rotation, and based on the correlation matrix, after completing the 147 item semi-quantitative FFQ, we discerned three nutrients patterns. The validated Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire and visual analogue scale (VAS) were used for assessing migraine intensity. Duration of headaches were defined as the hours the participants had headache in 1 d in last month. ANOVA, χ2 and linear regression tests were used to interrogate the data. Linear regression showed there was a positive relationship between second pattern rich in vitamin B1, carbohydrate, vitamin B3, vitamin B9, protein, and total fibre and VAS and pain duration. Furthermore, there was an inverse relationship between MIDAS and the first nutrient pattern characterised by dietary Ca, vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin B2, and Mg among women. Furthermore, there was a positive significant association between vitamin D and B12 (pattern 3) and headache duration. Dietary nutrients patterns should be monitored closely in individuals suffering with migraine.

The Association Between Dietary Acid Load and Odds of Migraine: A Case-Control Survey.

INTRODUCTION: It has been shown that a high acid load in the human body can affect inflammatory factors and the nitric oxide pathway. These factors are also thought to play an important role in the initiation of migraine attacks. We have therefore explored the association between dietary acid load and odds of migraine in a case-control study. METHODS: The migraine group (n = 514, diagnosed according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders 3rd edition [ICHDIII] criteria) was recruited from a tertiary headache clinic. The controls consisted of 582 sex-matched healthy volunteers who were randomly selected from the general population. A validated 168-item semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire was used for dietary intake assessments. Estimation of the dietary acid load was performed using three different measures: potential renal acid load (PRAL) score, net endogenous acid production (NEAP) score, and protein/potassium ratio. RESULTS: Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that, in comparison with the lowest tertile, the highest tertile of dietary acid load measures, including PRAL (odds ratio [OR] 7.208, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 3.33-15.55), and NEAP (OR 4.108, 95% CI 1.924-8.774) scores and the protein/potassium ratio (OR 4.127, 95% CI 1.933-8.814), significantly increased the odds of migraine (P value for trend ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSION: In this study, high dietary acid load was associated with higher odds of migraine. It is therefore possible that restricting dietary acid load could reduce the odds of migraine in susceptible subjects. However, due to the preliminary nature of the current evidence, caution is advised in drawing a definitive conclusion. More well-designed studies are required for a better understanding of this important issue.

Association of dietary diversity score (DDS) and migraine headache severity among women.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Migraine is an episodic disorder that is characterized by unilateral headache lasting 4-72 h along with certain associated features. Modifying dietary habits have been considered an appropriate therapeutic approach in these patients. This study was designed to examine the association between dietary diversity score (DDS) and severity, frequency, and duration of migraine attacks. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The present study was conducted using a cross-sectional design on 256 women 18-50 years old referred to neurology clinics for the first time. After the diagnosis of migraine by a neurologist, the data related to anthropometric measures and dietary intake (147-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire) were collected. To assess migraine severity, the migraine disability assessment questionnaire (MIDAS), visual analog scale (VAS), and a 30-day headache diary were used. Multinomial logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between DDS and migraine severity. The age, physical activity, BMI, and job were considered confounding variables in regression model. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and P values < 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Totally, 256 subjects participated in the present study with mean age, height, weight, and BMI of 34.28 ± 7.88 years, 161.78 ± 5.18 cm, 69.25 ± 13.06 kg, and 26.46 ± 4.89 kg/m2, respectively. Subjects with higher DDS had a lower waist circumference (P = 0.01). There was no association between DDS and other anthropometric measures and demographic characteristics (P > 0.05). In the crude model of logistic regression, participants with lower DDS had higher odds of more pain severity (OR = 2.30; 95% CI = 1.28, 4.12; P = 0.005), migraine disability (OR = 2.66; 95% CI = 1.51, 4.69; P = 0.001), and headache duration (OR = 2.32; CI = 1.22, 4.40; P = 0.01) compared to reference group. No association was found between headache frequency and DDS. Adjusting for the effect of confounding variables did not change the significant association. CONCLUSION: DDS was inversely associated with migraine disability, pain severity, and headache frequency. Additional studies are needed to replicate these findings and to explore mechanisms that mediate the association between DDS and migraine attacks.

Associations between adherence to MIND diet and severity, duration and frequency of migraine headaches among migraine patients.

OBJECTIVES: Migraine is a neurological disorder causing unbearable pain. Dietary approach is proposed as a preventive way of reducing the severity of migraine headaches. The present study aimed to examine the association between MIND diet and migraine headaches. RESULTS: We found that participants with higher score of MIND diet compared to those with lower score, were less likely to have severe headaches (OR = 0.64; 95% CI 0.45, 0.91; P = 0.01). Moreover, our results showed an inversed correlation between mind diet score and duration (ß = - 0.14, 95% CI - 1.42, - 0.14, P = 0.04) and frequency of headaches (ß = - 0.13, 95% CI - 0.99, - 0.07, P = 0.03).

Association of drinking water and migraine headache severity.

OBJECTIVES: Migraine is a common type of headaches and disabling disorder. Based on evidences dehydration is closely related to promote migraine headcahe frequency and severity. The Water intake is the best intervention to reduce or prevent headache pain. water intake in migraine patients has rarely been studied. the present study aimed to evaluate the relation between water intake and headache properties in migraine. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The present study was conducted using a cross-sectional design on 256 women 18-45 years old referred to neurology clinics for the first time. The diagnosis of migraine by a neurologist the according to ICHD3 criteria and To assess migraine severity the Migraine disability assessment questionnaire (MIDAS), visual analog scale (VAS), and a 30-day headache diary were used. One-way analysis was used to evaluate the associations between MIDAS and VAS with daily water intake. Pearson correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between the number of days and duration of headache with daily water intake. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and P-values < 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The results showed that the severity of migraine disability (P < 0.001), pain severity (P < 0.001), headaches frequency (P < 0.001), and duration of headaches (P < 0.001) were significantly lower in those who consumed more water or total water. CONCLUSION: The present study found a significant negative correlation between daily water intake and migraine headache characteristics but further clinical trials are needed to interpret the causal relationship.

Association between diet and migraine characteristics: The role of dietary inflammatory index.

Background: Migraine is a neurologic disorder. Although, based on previous evidence, migraine is related with inflammation and oxidative stress, its relationship with the inflammatory potential of the diet is still unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to show the correlation between Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) and severity and duration of migraine headache. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 266 women who suffered from migraine, were included. Demographic and anthropometric data were collected form all participants. 147-item semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was collected to assess dietary intake and consequently, DII scores were calculated. Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and a 30-day headache diary were also completed by each participant. Results: The DII score ranged between -4.22 and 5.19 and its median [interquartile range (IQR)] was 0.003 (-1.48-1.55). There was no meaningful association between age, occupation, physical activity (PA), weight, height, Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and DII score classifications (P > 0.050). Subjects with more than 20 days of headache had higher DII score compared to those with less than 10 days per month [odds ratio (OR) = 1.60, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.12-2.08, P = 0.001]. There was no association between DII and migraine severity (VAS and MIDAS) in the crude and adjusted model of logistic regression. Although there was a significant association between headache duration and DII (P = 0.020), this relationship was not meaningful after adjusting for age, PA, BMI, and job status (OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.28-1.00, P = 0.052). Conclusion: The present study showed a direct association between headache frequency and DII. Nevertheless, any relationship was not found between headache duration or migraine severity and DII score. Future large and prospective studies are needed to explore the effect of inflammatory potential of diet in migraine characteristics.

Associations between adherence to dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) diet and migraine headache severity and duration among women.

Purpose/introduction: Migraine is a common disorder, with attacks causing neurological dysfunction and pain. Many foods are involved in reducing the severity of migraine attacks. This study aimed to assess the effects that adhering to the Dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) diet had on headache severity and duration among women suffering from migraine.Methods and materials: Two hundred and sixty-six women (18-45 years) were enrolled after being referred to a headache clinic for the first time. Dietary intake was assessed daily using a Food Frequency Questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements were assessed for all cases, as well as headache duration of each attack; Visual Analog Scale and Migraine Disability Assessment questionnaires were evaluated by a neurologist.Results: The mean age, weight, and height of the study participants were 34.32 (SD 7.86) years, 69.41 (13.02) kg, and 161 (0.05) cm, respectively. The results of analysis in the crude model showed that individuals with the greatest adherence to the DASH diet displayed a 30% lower prevalence in severe headaches, compared to those with the lowest adherence (OR=0.70, 95%CI=0.49-0.99, P<0.05). Also, after controlling for potential confounders, subjects in the highest quartile of DASH diet adherence were 46% less likely to have severe headaches, and also saw a 36% lower occurrence of moderate headaches, compared to those in the bottom quartile (OR=0.54, 95%CI=0.35-0.83, P<0.005 and OR=0.64, 95%CI=0.44-0.95, P<0.005, respectively). These results showed a significant positive correlation between adherence to DASH diets and lower rates of mean headache duration for each attack in the last month (ß=-1.49, CI=0.21-2.7, P=0.02).Conclusion: This study showed that the DASH diet is associated with lower headache severity and duration in migraine patients.

Body Mass Index and its Association with Migraine Characteristics in Female Patients.

BACKGROUND: Migraine is a debilitating neurological disorder with a high prevalence. This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and disability, severity, frequency and duration of headaches in female migraine patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was designed to address the characteristics of migraine attacks (duration of each attack, frequency, and severity) and MIDAS (Migraine Disability Assessment) score in female migraineurs. The diagnosis of migraine was based on ICHD-3 beta criteria. Verbal rating scale (VRS) was used for headache severity. Height and weight were measured to calculate the BMI. Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for comparison of means, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) test was used for adjustment of the confounding factors. RESULTS: In the current study, 170 female migraine patients with a mean (±SD) age of 34.0 ± 8.0 years were enrolled. There were significant differences between the three groups (18.5 ≤ BMI< 25, 25 ≤ BMI < 30 and 30 ≤ BMI) in terms of headache frequency, duration and severity as well as total MIDAS score (P<0.001). These differences remained significant after adjustment for age. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that migraineurs with higher BMI experienced higher headache frequency, severity and duration as well as higher disability score.

The association between dietary tryptophan intake and migraine.

Migraineurs have been identified to have chronically decreased serotonin levels while its concentrations markedly increase during ictal periods. Regarding the importance of adequate tryptophan intake in regulating serotonin homeostasis and subsequent effect on migraine attacks, we designed the current study. The migraine group (n = 514, diagnosed according to the ICHDIII criteria) was recruited from a tertiary headache clinic. The controls consisted of 582 sex-matched healthy volunteers who were randomly selected from general population. After collecting demographic and anthropometric data, a validated 168-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used for dietary intake assessments. Multiple regression models were applied to explore the relationship between migraine and tryptophan intake. The mean (SD) of the age of participants in the controls and migraine group was 44.85 (13.84) and 36.20 (9.78) years, respectively. The multiple regression models were adjusted for age (year), sex, body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2), total daily energy intake (kcal/day), dietary intakes of total carbohydrates (g/day), animal-based protein (g/day), plant-based protein (g/day), total fat (g/day), saturated fat (g/day), and cholesterol (mg/day). It was shown that there is a negative association between tryptophan intake and migraine risk ((OR in the 3rd quartile = 0.46; 95% CI = 0.25-0.85) (OR in the 4th quartile = 0.40; 95% CI = 0.16-0.98) compared with the first quartile; P for trend = 0.045). Therefore, our results showed that subjects who had a median intake of 0.84-1.06 g of tryptophan per day had reduced odds of developing migraine by approximately 54-60%, relative to those consumed ≤ 0.56 g/day.