Objective: This study aimed to investigate the potential correlation between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the onset of migraines.
Methods: This case-control study included 612 participants from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The case group consisted of 311 migraine patients from King Abdulaziz University Hospital, while 301 individuals without migraines formed the control group. Data were collected through structured surveys.
Results: In the migraine group, 80.1% were women, with the highest prevalence among those aged 30-45 years (51.4%, p-value < 0.001). In the control group, women reported chronic headaches more frequently than men, 32.9% versus 20.2%, p-value = 0.025. No significant differences were found between groups on ACE prevalence, p-value > 0.05, including experiences such as parental loss or household dysfunction. However, in the migraine group, parental loss was related to more severe headaches; median pain score = 9.0, p-value = 0.047. Attacks of migraine significantly affect daily life, social activities, and professional activities, high frequency of drug intake (80.1%), and reduced working and academic efficiency.
Conclusion: Although ACEs were not related to migraine prevalence, parental loss was associated with higher headache severity. These findings indicated the complexity of migraines and the need to incorporate psychosocial variables in their management. Further research into the genetic, environmental, and psychological influences that cause migraine is required.
Key words: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs); Migraine; Incidence and Severity; Cross-Sectional Study; Case-Control; Jeddah.
|
