The association between adherence to Alternative Healthy Diet Index (AHEI) and severity, disability, duration, and frequency of migraine headache among women: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Migraine is a common brain disorder with pain characteristics that can be defined by moderate to severe unilateral throbbing pain, worsening in physical activity, and can be associated with nausea. Migraine headaches can be caused by numerous factors, including diet. This study aimed to assess the association of adherence to Alternative Healthy Diet Index (AHEI) and severity, disability, duration, and frequency of migraine headache. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 266 women (18 to 50 years old) who suffered with migraines, who visited the brain and neurology clinics of Khatam al-Anbia and Sina hospitals and the professional headache clinic in Tehran, were selected. Anthropometric measurements and demographic information were collected. Dietary intake in the past year was assessed using a semi-quantitative, 147-item, food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). AHEI was calculated based on FFQ, and episodic migraine was diagnosed by a neurologist. The Migraine Disability Assessments (MIDAS) questionnaire was used to evaluate migraine disability and migraine severity, visual Analog Scale (VAS) questionnaire was used to measure pain, and duration and frequency were ascertained via questionnaire. Results People with high adherence to AHEI, compared with low adherence, had a 43% reduction in headache duration in the crude model (OR = 0.57; 95% CI 0.34, 0.97; P = 0.03), which remained significant after adjusting for potential confounders (OR = 0.56; 95% CI 0.31, 0.99; P = 0.04). However, other variables, VAS, MIDAS and frequency of headache in month, were not significant. Conclusion Regarding the association between migraine headache and AHEI, the results of our study showed that people with high adherence of AHEI had a reduction in duration of migraine. Further studies are suggested to better evaluate and understand this association.