The pervasive integration of digital devices into daily life has raised concerns about their potential health impacts. This study aimed to explore the causal relationships between digital device use and the risk of migraine using Mendelian randomization (MR).
Genetic data on digital device use and migraines were sourced from large-scale genome-wide association studies conducted by the UK Biobank, the FinnGen study, and the International Headache Genetics Consortium. Univariable MR (UVMR), meta-analysis, and multivariable MR (MVMR) approaches were conducted to explore and verify the causal effects of digital device use (including mobile phone use, computer use, playing computer games, and watching television) on migraine risk. Sensitivity analyses were conducted using Cochran’s Q, MR-Egger intercept test, MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier, MR Radial, MR Steiger, and leave-one-out methods.
UVMR analyses revealed that genetically predicted mobile phone use was significantly associated with an increased risk of overall migraine (odds ratio [OR] = 2.39,
This comprehensive MR study provides preliminary evidence for the causal impact of mobile phone use and television watching on the risk of migraines. Further studies are needed to explore these associations across different populations.