Body composition status and the risk of migraine: A meta-analysis.

Bizu Gelaye, Simona Sacco, Wendy J Brown, Haley L Nitchie, Raffaele Ornello, B Lee Peterlin

Journal: Neurology 2017;88(19):1795-1804

PMID: 28404807

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Plain Language Summary

Both migraine and obesity are conditions associated with substantial personal and societal burdens. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pooled risk of migraine by body composition status as characterized by the WHO physical status categories and the influence of age and sex on this relationship. This study is a meta-analysis of twelve studies with data from 288,981 unique participants. The age of the participants ranged between 18 and 98 years. Results indicate that obesity and underweight status are associated with an increased risk of migraine, and that age and sex are important covariates for the increased risk. Authors conclude that further research to better understand the mechanisms underlying the association between body composition and migraine, has the potential to advance the understanding of migraine and lead to the development of targeted therapeutic strategies based on obesity status.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between migraine and body composition status as estimated based on body mass index and WHO physical status categories.

METHODS

Systematic electronic database searches were conducted for relevant studies. Two independent reviewers performed data extraction and quality appraisal. Odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (CI) were pooled using a random effects model. Significant values, weighted effect sizes, and tests of homogeneity of variance were calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 12 studies, encompassing data from 288,981 unique participants, were included. The age- and sex-adjusted pooled risk of migraine in those with obesity was increased by 27% compared with those of normal weight (odds ratio [OR] 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16-1.37, < 0.001) and remained increased after multivariate adjustments. Although the age- and sex-adjusted pooled migraine risk was increased in overweight individuals (OR 1.08; 95% CI 1.04, 1.12, < 0.001), significance was lost after multivariate adjustments. The age- and sex-adjusted pooled risk of migraine in underweight individuals was marginally increased by 13% compared with those of normal weight (OR 1.13; 95% CI 1.02, 1.24, < 0.001) and remained increased after multivariate adjustments.

CONCLUSIONS

The current body of evidence shows that the risk of migraine is increased in obese and underweight individuals. Studies are needed to confirm whether interventions that modify obesity status decrease the risk of migraine.

Address: From the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (B.G.), Department of Epidemiology, Boston, MA; Department of Neurology (S.S., R.O.), University of L'Aquila, Italy; School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences (W.J.B.), University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; and Department of Neurology (H.L.N., B.L.P.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.; From the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (B.G.), Department of Epidemiology, Boston, MA; Department of Neurology (S.S., R.O.), University of L'Aquila, Italy; School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences (W.J.B.), University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; and Department of Neurology (H.L.N., B.L.P.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. [email protected].

DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000003919