Association between dietary inflammatory index and epilepsy: findings from NHANES

Abstract

Background: Inflammation plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of epilepsy. However, there is limited information regarding the relationship between diet-related inflammation and epilepsy. This study aimed to investigate the association between dietary inflammatory index (DII) and epilepsy.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2020. The DII scores were calculated and categorized into quartiles. Logistic regression was applied to assess the association between DII and epilepsy. Additionally, restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis and subgroup analyses were performed.

Results: The study included a total of 10,761 participants. After adjusting for age, gender, race, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, alcohol consumption, stroke, diabetes, and hypertension, a significant positive association was observed between DII and epilepsy in multivariable logistic regression (quartile 4 vs. 1, OR = 2.66, 95% CI 1.66-4.28, p < 0.001). The RCS analysis further confirmed a positive linear relationship between increasing DII scores and epilepsy risk (p for overall = 0.0007, p for nonlinear = 0.5128). Subgroup analyses showed a consistent association between DII and epilepsy across different subgroups.

Conclusion: Elevated DII scores are associated with the risk of epilepsy. To improve epilepsy prevention and management, attention to dietary inflammation regulation is essential.

Keywords: DII; NHANES; cross-sectional study; diet; epilepsy.

Figure 1

Flow diagram of study participants.

Figure 2

The RCS curve of the association between DII and epilepsy. RCS regression was adjusted for age, gender, race, BMI, smoking status, alcohol consumption, stroke, diabetes, and hypertension.

Figure 3

Subgroup analyses of the association between DII and epilepsy. Analyses were stratified for age (≤18 years, and >18 years), gender (female and male), race (Mexican American, non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, and other races), smoking status (never, former, and current), alcohol consumption (none, normal, and heavy), stroke (yes and no), diabetes (yes and no), and hypertension (yes and no).