The association between inflammatory bowel disease and migraine or severe headache among US adults: Findings from the National Health Interview Survey, 2015-2016.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence of migraine or severe headache among US adults by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) status.

BACKGROUND

Emerging evidence in clinical settings suggests a higher prevalence of migraine among patients with IBD than those without IBD.

METHODS

Data from 60,436 US adults aged ≥18 years participating in the 2015 and 2016 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were analyzed. The relationship between IBD status and migraine or severe headache was assessed overall and stratified by levels of selected characteristics including sex, age, race/ethnicity, education, poverty status, marital status, smoking status, obesity status, serious psychological distress, and major chronic condition status.

RESULTS

Overall, the age-adjusted prevalence of migraine or severe headache was 15.4% (n = 9062) and of IBD was 1.2% (n = 862). A higher age-adjusted migraine or severe headache prevalence was reported among participants with IBD than those without IBD (28.1% vs. 15.2%, p < 0.0001). The association of migraine or severe headache with IBD remained significant overall [adjusted prevalence ratio (95% CI) = 1.59 (1.35-1.86)] and within the levels of most other selected characteristics after controlling for all other covariates.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results confirmed a higher prevalence of migraine or severe headache among US adults with IBD than those without. Healthcare providers might assess migraine or severe headache among patients with IBD to improve management and quality of life.