Nutritional status of Danish rheumatoid arthritis patients and effects of a diet adjusted in energy intake, fish-meal, and antioxidants

Abstract

This study deals with the nutritional status of Danish RA patients and address the question of whether or not RA can be directly influenced by dietary manipulation. In a prospective, single-blinded study of 6 months duration, 109 patients with active RA were randomly assigned to either treatment with or without a specialized diet. The energy consumption was adjusted to normal standards of body weights and the intake of fish meals and antioxidants were increased. A daily food diary was completed by the patients, and the total intake of 47 different food-elements was calculated. Nutritional status together with disease activity parameters were recorded. At baseline, the Danish RA-patients had neglected food habits with a significant reduction in intake of total energy, of D-vitamin and of E-vitamin. A very low intake of n-3 fatty acids was also found. During the study, 28 of the 109 patients dropped out, introducing a confounding effect on the overall result. In the remaining 81, those following the diet demonstrated a significant improvement in the duration of morning stiffness, number of swollen joints, pain status, and reduced cost of medicine, while doctors global assessment, laboratory data, X-ray, and daily activities were unaltered. In conclusion, dietary analysis and appropriate, corrective advice should be offered to Danish RA patients.