Migraine headache facilitators in a population of Polish women and their association with migraine occurrence - preliminary results

Neurol Neurochir Pol. 2019;53(5):377-383. doi: 10.5603/PJNNS.a2019.0044. Epub 2019 Oct 8.

Abstract

Aim of the study: . The occurrence of migraine is linked with some common lifestyle activities and conditions preceding the attack. Our study presents known and presumptive lifestyle factors and activities related to migraine, and compares them to the frequency of headache attacks.

Material and methods: 40 female patients of the Headache Outpatient Clinic in Warsaw, Poland, diagnosed with migraine, mean age 44.6 years, and 40 female participants from the control group, mean age 39.5 years, were included in the study. The study employed questionnaires reporting the presence of lifestyle factors and socioeconomic predispositions as well as the Migraine Disability Assessment Test (MIDAS) as data collection methods.

Results: Correlations between some of the lifestyle factors and the frequency of migraines occurred statistically significantly.

Conclusions: Some factors and lifestyle activities such as stress, relaxation, specific dietary products, fasting, fatigue, bright light, noise, weather changes or menstruation may have an influence on migraine frequency and severity in female patients, which can have an impact on migraine prevention.

Keywords: headaches; lifestyle; migraine; trigger factors.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Headache
  • Humans
  • Migraine Disorders*
  • Poland
  • Surveys and Questionnaires