Migraine Duration as a Potential Amplifier of Obesity

Purpose: Migraine is a complex neurovascular disorder with obesity as a notable risk factor. This study aimed to investigate an underresearched area of the association between migraine duration and body composition. Patients and Methods: Patients with migraine from a neurology outpatient department were enrolled and were categorized into four groups based on illness duration: 1 year, 1-5 years, 5-10 years, and >10 years. Patient demographics, blood biochemistry, and body composition data were collected and analyzed statistically. Results: Patients with migraine were predominantly female, with lower education levels, significant work stress, poor sleep, and limited exercise. Longer migraine duration corresponded to increased obesity metrics. Notably, those patients with under 1 year of illness showed elevated blood lipid and liver function levels, whereas those with >10 years showed increased weight, waist circumference, body mass index, and fat content, despite higher physical activity. Significant positive correlation between obesity metrics and migraine duration was seen in patients who had migraine for >1 year. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that protracted episodes of migraine could amplify obesity tendencies, underscoring the imperative of weight regulation in migraine intervention to diminish ensuing adiposity-associated hazards.