THE IMPACT OF BODY MASS INDEX, ADIPONECTIN AND C-REACTIVE PROTEIN ON FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY OF MIGRAINE ATTACKS IN PREMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

OBJECTIVE: Inflammation has been investigated as a possible mechanism for underlying migraine. Many studies continue to be conducted on the role of obesity and adipokines in inflammation and their relationship with migraine. Our objective was to determine the relationship between plasma adiponectin (ADP) levels, body mass index (BMI), and C-reactive protein (CRP), with the frequency and severity of migraine attacks in premenopausal women during the interictal period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 38 premenopausal women receiving outpatient treatment for migraine and 32 age-matched healthy controls. The patients were diagnosed with migraine according to the International Headache Society criteria. The patients' CRP, ADP levels, leukocyte counts during the headache-free period, and BMI were compared with those of the control group. RESULTS: A positive and statistically significant correlation was observed in the comparison of BMI and CRP levels in both the patient and control groups (p=0.01, p=0.03, respectively). No correlation could be established in terms of the comparison of BMI and ADP levels in either group (p=0.053 for controls, p=0.285 for patients). No statistically significant association was found in the comparison of the frequency of migraine attacks with the BMI, CRP, and ADP levels of the patients (p=0.669, p=0.989, p=0.201, respectively). A positive and significant relationship was determined between BMI and pain severity (p=0.017). However, no relationship between CRP, ADP levels, and pain severity was found (p=0.827, p=0.359, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: CRP, as an established marker of inflammation, increases in relation to a rise in BMI. High BMI may contribute to the development of severe migraine attacks. In conclusion, preventing weight gain and advising weight loss may be a therapeutic strategy for managing severe headache attacks.