Primary headache disorders susceptibility is associated with fasting-related headache: evidence from a multinational study across 14 countries - Scorecard - MDSpire

Primary headache disorders susceptibility is associated with fasting-related headache: evidence from a multinational study across 14 countries

  • By

  • M. Ceren Akgor

  • K. Saghır

  • A. İ. Can

  • F. G. Sahbaz

  • E. U. Özcelik

  • A. C. Atalar

  • N. Ergin

  • M. O. Orun

  • A. A. Madani

  • E. A. A. Ibrahim

  • M. Togha

  • S. Amirguliyev

  • Y. Alabwah

  • J. A. Hashel

  • I. M. Dardar

  • R. E. Sahli

  • S. B. Sassi

  • M. Nada

  • N. Shalaby

  • Y. Dehal

  • Y. Naji

  • M. Amine

  • K. Alfred

  • R. Karacı

  • E. Yanık

  • G. Gürsoy

  • H. T. Celik

  • S. Tasdelen

  • E. Ekizoğlu

  • E. K. Orhan

  • D. Agırcan

  • H. Genc

  • T. Gesoglu Demir

  • F. M. Domac

  • N. Köse

  • N. Tepe

  • S. Öztürk

  • E. K. Cengiz

  • K. Erdogan

  • İ. Yıldırım

  • B. R. Hasırcı Bayır

  • E. A. Demirel

  • R. Ghouri

  • B. Tasdelen

  • H. Bolay

  • A. Ozge

  • N. Kissani

  • June 25, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Scorecard: Association Between Susceptibility to Primary Headache Disorders and Headaches During Fasting: Findings from a Multinational Study Involving 14 Countries

At a Glance

CategoryDetail
ConditionFasting-related headache
Key MechanismsInfluenced by pre-existing primary headache disorders and lifestyle-related factors
Target PopulationAdults (18–65 years) observing Ramadan fasting
Care SettingMultinational cross-sectional survey

Key Highlights

  • Headache attacks primarily occur in the afternoon/pre-iftar period.
  • 54.6% of participants reported improvement after iftar.
  • Pre-existing primary headache disorders, especially migraine, are strongly associated with headache occurrence during fasting.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

  • Headache attributed to fasting is classified as a secondary headache attributed to a disorder of homeostasis.

Management

  • Consider individual headache history alongside fasting-related exposures when assessing vulnerability.

Monitoring & Follow-up

  • Monitor headache characteristics such as intensity, duration, and associated symptoms during fasting.

Risks

  • Individuals with a history of primary headache disorders may be at higher risk for fasting-related headaches.

Patient & Prescribing Data

Adults observing Ramadan fasting with a history of primary headache disorders.

Headache relief is often experienced after breaking the fast.

Clinical Best Practices

  • Utilize a structured questionnaire aligned with ICHD-3 for headache classification.
  • Assess lifestyle factors and headache history in patients experiencing fasting-related headaches.

Related Resources & Content

    Original Source(s)

    Primary headache disorders susceptibility is associated with fasting-related headache: evidence from a multinational study across 14 countries

    • by M. Ceren Akgor, K. Saghır, A. İ. Can, F. G. Sahbaz, E. U. Özcelik, A. C. Atalar, N. Ergin, M. O. Orun, A. A. Madani, E. A. A. Ibrahim, M. Togha, S. Amirguliyev, Y. Alabwah, J. A. Hashel, I. M. Dardar, R. E. Sahli, S. B. Sassi, M. Nada, N. Shalaby, Y. Dehal, Y. Naji, M. Amine, K. Alfred, R. Karacı, E. Yanık, G. Gürsoy, H. T. Celik, S. Tasdelen, E. Ekizoğlu, E. K. Orhan, D. Agırcan, H. Genc, T. Gesoglu Demir, F. M. Domac, N. Köse, N. Tepe, S. Öztürk, E. K. Cengiz, K. Erdogan, İ. Yıldırım, B. R. Hasırcı Bayır, E. A. Demirel, R. Ghouri, B. Tasdelen, H. Bolay, A. Ozge, N. Kissani

    • June 25, 2026

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