The S-shaped association between dietary caffeine intake and severe headache or migraine: a cross-sectional study based on NHANES

Background and purposeSevere headache or migraine is a highly prevalent neurological disorder that significantly impacts the daily lives of those affected. Currently, there remains a debate regarding the relationship between daily caffeine intake and severe headache or migraine. This study aims to d...

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Main Authors: Zhiqiang Liao, Aiqing Lin, Junjian Zeng, Yu Zou, YiXun Chen, Zhonghua Liu, Zhidong Zhou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Neurology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1517942/full
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author Zhiqiang Liao
Zhiqiang Liao
Aiqing Lin
Aiqing Lin
Junjian Zeng
Junjian Zeng
Yu Zou
Yu Zou
YiXun Chen
YiXun Chen
Zhonghua Liu
Zhonghua Liu
Zhidong Zhou
Zhidong Zhou
author_facet Zhiqiang Liao
Zhiqiang Liao
Aiqing Lin
Aiqing Lin
Junjian Zeng
Junjian Zeng
Yu Zou
Yu Zou
YiXun Chen
YiXun Chen
Zhonghua Liu
Zhonghua Liu
Zhidong Zhou
Zhidong Zhou
author_sort Zhiqiang Liao
collection DOAJ
description Background and purposeSevere headache or migraine is a highly prevalent neurological disorder that significantly impacts the daily lives of those affected. Currently, there remains a debate regarding the relationship between daily caffeine intake and severe headache or migraine. This study aims to determine the relationship between caffeine intake and severe headache or migraine to inform dietary interventions.Materials and methodsThe study utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 1999 and 2004, involving a total of 5,234 participants aged 20–49 years. A multivariable logistic regression model was employed to examine the relationship between dietary caffeine intake and severe headache or migraine. A restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression model was used to explore potential dose–response relationships. A smoothed two-piece logistic regression model was applied to identify threshold associations between dietary caffeine intake and severe headache or migraine. Subgroup regression analyses were conducted to investigate whether the impact of dietary caffeine intake on severe headache or migraine varied among different subgroups.ResultsAmong the 5,234 participants, 26.69% (1,397/5234) had severe headache or migraine. Compared to individuals with lower caffeine intake (quartile [Q]1, ≤1.81 mg/d), those with higher caffeine intake in Q2 (1.81–45.48 mg/d), Q3 (45.48–125.95 mg/d), and Q4 (≥125.95 mg/d) had adjusted odds ratios for severe headache or migraine of 1.1487 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.9532–1.3845, p = 0.1454), 1.4370 (95% CI: 1.1921–1.7335, p = 0.001), and 1.5642 (95% CI: 1.2842–1.9067, p < 0.001), respectively. The relationship between dietary caffeine intake and severe headache or migraine in U.S. adults exhibits an S-shaped pattern, with a turning point at approximately 97.5 mg/d.ConclusionThese results suggest an S-shaped association between dietary caffeine intake and severe headache or migraine. Individuals who routinely consume caffeine in their diet should be vigilant about the risk of experiencing severe headaches or migraines.
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spelling doaj-art-56fe765cfe2f42559b623f2cfe630da02025-08-20T02:31:32ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neurology1664-22952025-05-011610.3389/fneur.2025.15179421517942The S-shaped association between dietary caffeine intake and severe headache or migraine: a cross-sectional study based on NHANESZhiqiang Liao0Zhiqiang Liao1Aiqing Lin2Aiqing Lin3Junjian Zeng4Junjian Zeng5Yu Zou6Yu Zou7YiXun Chen8YiXun Chen9Zhonghua Liu10Zhonghua Liu11Zhidong Zhou12Zhidong Zhou13Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, ChinaJiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Nanchang, Jiangxi, ChinaDepartment of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, ChinaJiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Nanchang, Jiangxi, ChinaDepartment of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, ChinaJiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Nanchang, Jiangxi, ChinaDepartment of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, ChinaJiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Nanchang, Jiangxi, ChinaDepartment of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, ChinaJiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Nanchang, Jiangxi, ChinaDepartment of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, ChinaJiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Nanchang, Jiangxi, ChinaDepartment of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, ChinaJiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Nanchang, Jiangxi, ChinaBackground and purposeSevere headache or migraine is a highly prevalent neurological disorder that significantly impacts the daily lives of those affected. Currently, there remains a debate regarding the relationship between daily caffeine intake and severe headache or migraine. This study aims to determine the relationship between caffeine intake and severe headache or migraine to inform dietary interventions.Materials and methodsThe study utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 1999 and 2004, involving a total of 5,234 participants aged 20–49 years. A multivariable logistic regression model was employed to examine the relationship between dietary caffeine intake and severe headache or migraine. A restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression model was used to explore potential dose–response relationships. A smoothed two-piece logistic regression model was applied to identify threshold associations between dietary caffeine intake and severe headache or migraine. Subgroup regression analyses were conducted to investigate whether the impact of dietary caffeine intake on severe headache or migraine varied among different subgroups.ResultsAmong the 5,234 participants, 26.69% (1,397/5234) had severe headache or migraine. Compared to individuals with lower caffeine intake (quartile [Q]1, ≤1.81 mg/d), those with higher caffeine intake in Q2 (1.81–45.48 mg/d), Q3 (45.48–125.95 mg/d), and Q4 (≥125.95 mg/d) had adjusted odds ratios for severe headache or migraine of 1.1487 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.9532–1.3845, p = 0.1454), 1.4370 (95% CI: 1.1921–1.7335, p = 0.001), and 1.5642 (95% CI: 1.2842–1.9067, p < 0.001), respectively. The relationship between dietary caffeine intake and severe headache or migraine in U.S. adults exhibits an S-shaped pattern, with a turning point at approximately 97.5 mg/d.ConclusionThese results suggest an S-shaped association between dietary caffeine intake and severe headache or migraine. Individuals who routinely consume caffeine in their diet should be vigilant about the risk of experiencing severe headaches or migraines.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1517942/fullcaffeinesevere headachemigrainecross-sectional studyNHANES
spellingShingle Zhiqiang Liao
Zhiqiang Liao
Aiqing Lin
Aiqing Lin
Junjian Zeng
Junjian Zeng
Yu Zou
Yu Zou
YiXun Chen
YiXun Chen
Zhonghua Liu
Zhonghua Liu
Zhidong Zhou
Zhidong Zhou
The S-shaped association between dietary caffeine intake and severe headache or migraine: a cross-sectional study based on NHANES
Frontiers in Neurology
caffeine
severe headache
migraine
cross-sectional study
NHANES
title The S-shaped association between dietary caffeine intake and severe headache or migraine: a cross-sectional study based on NHANES
title_full The S-shaped association between dietary caffeine intake and severe headache or migraine: a cross-sectional study based on NHANES
title_fullStr The S-shaped association between dietary caffeine intake and severe headache or migraine: a cross-sectional study based on NHANES
title_full_unstemmed The S-shaped association between dietary caffeine intake and severe headache or migraine: a cross-sectional study based on NHANES
title_short The S-shaped association between dietary caffeine intake and severe headache or migraine: a cross-sectional study based on NHANES
title_sort s shaped association between dietary caffeine intake and severe headache or migraine a cross sectional study based on nhanes
topic caffeine
severe headache
migraine
cross-sectional study
NHANES
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1517942/full
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