Impact of fasting during Ramadan on migraine in the Algerian population

Abstract

Introduction: Muslims all over the world practice fasting during Ramadan yearly. A plethora of studies have reported severe worsening of migraine attacks cases due to fasting. The aim is to investigate the effect of Ramadan fasting on migraine frequency and severity among practicing Muslim migraine sufferers.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted during the month of Ramadan of the year 2021. This research project has included adult patients meeting the migraine criteria of "International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition". The frequency and severity of migraine headache were compared to the month preceding Ramadan. In order to analyse the factors associated with breaking the fast motivated by migraine headache during Ramadan, a logistic regression analysis was performed.

Results: The study has included 101 migraine sufferers with a clear female predominance. The average duration of migraine was 9±2 years. Compared to the month of Shaban, we noted an increase in the number of attacks, the number of headache days, and the number of days with analgesic medication taken to relieve the attacks. However, the severity and duration of headache did not change significantly between the two months. Most patients changed their eating and sleeping habits during Ramadan. Twenty-two patients broke the fast for several days due to headaches. Ramadan fasting aggravates the frequency of migraine attacks among practicing Algerian Muslims.

Conclusion: Physicians should educate their migraine patients on the importance of lifestyle measures to better manage their headaches during Ramadan.

Keywords: Algeria; Argelia; Ayuno; Fasting; Migraine; Migraña; Ramadan; Ramadán.