Association Between Iron Deficiency Anemia and Chronic Daily Headache

Abstract

Background: Chronic daily headache (CDH) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are prevalent health issues with significant impact on individuals' quality of life. Understanding the relationship between these conditions is essential for developing effective treatment strategies. Objective: This study aims to investigate the association between iron deficiency anemia and chronic daily headache. Methods: A case-control study was conducted at Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from February to July 2023. The study included 140 patients diagnosed with CDH and 140 age- and sex-matched controls without a history of CDH. Demographic data (age, gender, location, education, marital status) were collected along with clinical characteristics (headache frequency, intensity, duration) and hematological parameters (hemoglobin level, serum ferritin level, red blood cell count, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, platelet count, white blood cell count, hematocrit level, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration). Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square tests and ANOVA. Results: There were no significant differences in demographic characteristics between the CDH and control groups. CDH patients exhibited higher headache frequency (57.14% experienced headaches 10-15 times per month), intensity (64.43% reported NRS score of 5-8), and duration (87.15% reported headache duration of over 4 hours) compared to controls. Hematological analysis revealed significantly lower mean hemoglobin (9.85±2.13 g/dL) and serum ferritin levels (30.72±7.65 ng/mL) in CDH patients compared to controls (13.1±2.70 g/dL and 65.09±12.82 ng/mL, respectively). A significant association between IDA and CDH was established (p<0.05). Conclusion: The study demonstrates a significant association between iron deficiency anemia and chronic daily headache, highlighting the potential role of iron deficiency in the development of CDH.