Effect of bariatric surgery on headache frequency, duration and severity

This retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the differences and influencing factors between the headache patients who achieved complete remission or significant reduction in headache frequency postoperatively and those whose frequency remained unchanged.

The study was conducted on 386 patients who underwent bariatric surgery at the four university hospitals between January 2018 and June 2024. Patients were divided two groups as with or without headache and then patients with headache were divided into migraine and tension-type headache groups.

Headache duration, HIT-6 and VAS scores were also significantly reduced after operation. Bariatric surgery was significantly and negatively correlated with headache duration (r=-0.170; p < 0.05), HIT-6 (r=-0.353; p < 0.01) and VAS (r=-0.408; p < 0.01). Bariatric surgery had significant effect on HIT-6 (OR: 7.120; p < 0.01), headache frequency (OR: 13.634; p < 0.01) and VAS (OR: 2.024; p < 0.01). In migraine group; duration, HIT 6 and VAS levels were significantly decreased after operation (p < 0.05). In tension type group; only VAS level was significantly decreased after operation (p < 0.05).

After bariatric surgery, a statistically significant decrease in headache in terms of impact and severity was observed. This situation reveals that bariatric surgery has a direct and significant effect on headache. In patients with a BMI value on the borderline for bariatric surgery, these values ​​can be lowered slightly in case of severe headache.