Purpose: Migraine is a highly prevalent headache disorder, and intake of various nutrients and special diets may improve migraine symptoms. We aimed to clarify the association between nutritional status and migraine.
Patients and methods: We collected the data of 1838/8953 (migraineurs/all participants) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2004 cycle. We used weighted multivariable linear or logistic regression analyses to study the association between the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and the occurrence of severe headache or migraine.
Results: After adjusting for confounding variables, we found that mild (PNI 45-50) or moderate to severe (PNI <45) malnutrition were associated with higher prevalence of severe headache or migraine (odds ratio [OR] 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00-1.12, P = 0.004; OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.03-1.12, P < 0.001). In addition, we found that those with severe headache or migraine consumed less alcohol, dietary fiber, cholesterol, total folate, vitamin A, riboflavin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin K, selenium, potassium, magnesium, and copper, and consumed more caffeine and theobromine than did those without severe headache or migraine.
Conclusion: The PNI is associated with migraine prevalence, and may thus serve as a predictor of migraine risk and highlights the potential of nutrition-based strategies for migraine prevention and treatment.
Keywords: Migraine; National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; malnutrition; prognostic nutritional index.