Evaluation of the Relationship Between Migraine and Dietary Advanced Glycation End Products

Migraine is one of the most common neurological conditions and nutrition is considered one of the critical environmental triggers. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) may influence migraine pathogenesis through neuroinflammation and various mechanisms. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between dietary AGEs (dAGEs) intake and sleep quality, dietary composition and Mediterranean diet adherence in individuals with migraine. This case-control study was conducted with adult individuals (n = 60 with migraine, n = 60 controls) aged 19-64 who applied to Karabük University Training and Research Hospital Neurology Clinic Headache Outpatient Clinic. A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic information. Participants completed the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screening (MEDAS), Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS) and 3-day food consumption record. The median MEDAS score of individuals in the control group (M = 6.0, min-max = 2.0-10.0) was higher than those with migraine (M = 5.0, min-max = 2.0-10.0) (p = 0.020). The median PSQI score was 7.0 in both groups and did not differ significantly (p = 0.484). In the model that included all confounding factors (age, gender, BMI), a unit increase in energy-adjusted dAGEs intake was associated with a 1.57-fold increased risk of migraine (OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.178-2.099, p = 0.002). The study's results are important as they provide the first known data in the literature on the relationship between migraine and dAGEs. A comprehensive dietary history may be necessary for the assessment of migraines. However, future clinical studies with larger sample sizes should evaluate serum/skin AGEs in relation to dietary intake. ClinicalTrial number: NCT05747911.