Inflammation Factors Mediate Association of Muscle Mass and Migraine: NHANES 1999-2004 and Mendelian Randomization
Abstract
Purpose: The relationship between adipose-muscle distribution and its effect on migraine remains unclear. This study examines the association between muscle mass and migraine prevalence and evaluates potential mediation by systemic inflammatory biomarkers.
Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, we analyzed data from 10,400 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (1999-2004). The association between appendicular lean mass normalized to body mass index (ALM/BMI) and migraine prevalence was evaluated through weighted logistic regression and subgroup analyses. Mediation analyses were conducted to examine the potential mediating roles of inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell count (WBC), and neutrophils, in the relationship between ALM/BMI and migraine prevalence. Genetic causality was investigated via two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) using genome-wide association study (GWAS) data.
Results: 20% of total participants reported migraines. A higher ALM/BMI ratio was inversely associated with migraine after full adjustment (OR = 0.243; 95% CI: 0.122-0.487, p p p = 0.024), 3.1% (p = 0.011), and 2.8% (p = 0.019) of the ALM/BMI-migraine association, respectively. The inverse-variance weighted approach (IVW) in MR analysis indicated that higher basal metabolic rate (BMR) reduced migraine risk (OR = 0.996, 95% CI: 0.992-0.998, p = 0.004) and headache risk (OR = 0.998, 95% CI: 0.997-1.000, p = 0.018).…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 10,400 participants or records.
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