Migraine and Obesity: Is There a Relationship? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Title:Migraine and Obesity: Is There a Relationship? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Volume: 20 Issue: 9

Author(s): Mahsa Hatami, Neda Soveid, Azadeh Lesani, Kurosh Djafarian and Sakineh Shab-Bidar*

Affiliation:

• Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran,Iran

Keywords: Obesity, migraine, body mass index, egger's test, dyslipidemia, observational studies.

Abstract:

Background and Objective: Many studies have evaluated the risk of migraine headache in obese persons, suggesting controversial conclusions. The aim of this systematic review and meta- analysis of the observational studies was to clarify the association between migraine and obesity.

Methods: Scopus and PubMed electronic databases were systematically searched up to February 2019 for observational studies providing data dealing with migraine disorder in obese subjects, as well as normal-weight controls. The random effects model was applied for assessing pool effect size, and inter-study heterogeneity was evaluated by conducting subgroup analyses.

Results: Among 1122 publications, 16 studies (10 cross-sectional, 5 cohort studies and 1 case-control study) were detected and were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled data analysis illustrated an elevated risk of migraine headache (Prevalence ratio estimate = 1.29, 95% CI, 1.15 - 1.44, p = 0.000) in obese individuals compared to normal-weight persons. Subgroup analyses revealed that geographical distribution was an important source of heterogeneity (p = 0.04). Significantly greater migraine prevalence was found in European and Asian patients, but no statistically significant relationship with obesity was observed in American patients.

Conclusion: Based on a cumulative meta-analysis of available studies indicating an association between migraine and obesity, obesity can be appropriately considered as an overall risk factor for migraine headaches. Additional high-quality original studies considering frequency, severity, and duration of headaches are required to clarify confident evidence.

Cite this article as:

Hatami Mahsa, Soveid Neda, Lesani Azadeh, Djafarian Kurosh and Shab-Bidar Sakineh *, Migraine and Obesity: Is There a Relationship? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies, CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets 2021; 20 (9) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871527320666210713114840