The association between plasma trans-fatty acids level and migraine: A cross-sectional study from NHANES 1999–2000

Objectives

Trans-fatty acid (TFA) has been linked to an increased risk of a variety of diseases, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, and cancer. However, the relationship between plasma TFAs and migraine is little known. The current study aimed to determine the association between plasma TFAs and migraine in a large cross-sectional study among U.S. adults.

Methods

The participants from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were included during the period 1999-2000. The plasma concentrations of four major TFAs, including palmitelaidic acid (C16:1n-7t), elaidic acid (C18:1n-9t), vaccenic acid (C18:1n-7t), and linolelaidic acid (C18:2n-6t, 9t) were measured by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The presence of migraine headache was determined by self-report questionnaire. Weighted multivariable logistic regressions and restricted cubic spline (RCS) regressions were explored to assess the relationship between plasma TFAs and migraine. Furthermore, stratified analysis and testing of interaction terms were used to evaluate the effect modification by sex, age, race/ethnicity, family income, and BMI.

Results

A total of 1534 participants were included. The overall weighted prevalence of severe headache or migraine was 21.2 %. After adjusting for all potential covariates, plasma levels of elaidic acid and linolelaidic acid were positively associated with migraine. The adjusted OR values were 1.18 (95 %CI: 1.08-1.29, p=0.014, per 10 units increase) and 1.24 (95 %CI: 1.07-1.44, p=0.024). Then the included participants were divided into 2-quantiles by plasma TFA levels. Compared with participants with lower plasma levels of elaidic acid and linolelaidic acid (Q1 groups), those in the Q2 group had a higher prevalence of migraine when adjusted for all covariates in Model 2. The adjusted OR values were 2.43 (95 %CI: 1.14-5.18, p=0.037) for elaidic acid, and 2.18 (95 %CI: 1.14-4.20, p=0.036) for linolelaidic acid. Results were robust when analyses were stratified by sex, age, race/ethnicity, family income, and BMI, and no effect modification on the association was found.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated a positive association between migraine prevalence and plasma levels of elaidic acid and linolelaidic acid in US adults. These results highlight the connection between circulating TFAs and migraine.