Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40438572›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in neurology2025

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

Zhiqiang Liao, Aiqing Lin, Junjian Zeng, Yu Zou, YiXun Chen, Zhonghua Liu, Zhidong Zhou

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in neurology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
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  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Zhiqiang Liao *Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
Aiqing Lin *Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
Junjian ZengDepartment of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
Yu ZouDepartment of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
YiXun ChenDepartment of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
Zhonghua LiuDepartment of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
Zhidong ZhouDepartment of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background and purpose: Severe 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 methods: The 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. Results: Among 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, Conclusion: These 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.

Indexed as

caffeinecross-sectional studymigraineNHANESsevere headache

Identifiers

PMID40438572
PMCPMC12118965

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.