Abstract
Migraine Triggers and Severity Among Libyan medical Students During Ramadan Fasting. Ziad F. Alatrash1*, Taha Nagib 1, Wasan A. Rawag1, Rana H Shembesh2, Hajir Dakheel3, Zinab Y. Elfitur4, Enas Almogarwesh1, Rokia E. Alojily5, Shahed J. Elomrani1, Annegott A. Altarhoni1 (1) Medical students, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya. (2) Medical students, Faculty of Medicine, Libyan international medical University, Benghazi, Libya. (3) Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tripoli, Libya (4) Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zawia, Az-Zawiyah, Libya. (5) Medical students, Faculty of Medicine, University of Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya. Abstract Introduction: Migraine is a neurologic disorder that affects roughly 1 billion people in the world. The condition is characterized by a recurrent, one-sided, pulsating headache that may interfere with mental health, social life, and productivity. Fasting in the month of Ramadan is known to be a potential precipitant of migraine attacks due to changed sleep and eating schedules. Therefore, the interrelationship between Ramadan fasting, lifestyle modification, and the severity of migraine attacks is analyzed in Libyan medical students. Methods: Data were collected from 530 participants using an online questionnaire distributed across six Libyan medical colleges." Demographics, migraine characteristics, and triggers were assessed using the Identification of Migraine (ID Migraine) tool." Other statistical tests investigated the links of fasting habits and stressors with migraine severity. Results: Out of 530 participants, 155 (88.57%) were confirmed migraineurs, with a predominance of females (87.7%). The common triggers were stressors (49.7%), followed by academic pressure (18.1%). The food-related triggers had the highest severity with a median of 5. Fasting did not relate to the severity of migraine significantly (p = 0.21) in this study. Migraine features unmasked that 53.5% of those who participated had unilateral pain, whereas a pulsating quality was described by 31%. Paracetamol was used by 58.1%, and 35.5% reported aura. Conclusion: Stress and dietary triggers have more influence on the severity of the migraines experienced by the Libyan medical students during Ramadan compared to fasting itself. These findings show the importance of teaching stress management and dietary awareness in this population. Disclosures: All authors declare no relationships, activities, or interests that influenced the study. Keywords: Migraine, Ramadan, ID Migraine, Libyan medical students