This study was designed to investigate the possibility of nutrition guidance for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We studied interrelationship between disease activity and nutrient intake or serum cytokine concentration in patients with RA.
Dietary survey was performed to assess nutrient intake of RA patients. Disease activity parameters, such as weariness index, arthritically index and QOL index were evaluated by self-questionnaire. CRP and serum cytokine concentrations were measured. Interactions between these parameters and nutrient intake were analyzed.
In comparison of nutrient intake between patients with RA and healthy controls, RA patients indicated lower ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acid (P/S) than controls. Preceding with the analysis between disease activity parameter and nutrient intake, RA patients were divided into two groups according to their activities. High weariness group indicated higher lipid intake and energy supplies from fat than low group, suggesting the relationship between disease activity and lipid intake in RA patients. From the comparative study of serum cytokine concentration between patients with RA and healthy controls, RA patients indicated higher concentration of IL-1 beta, IL-6 and IL-8. Serum concentrations of these proinflammatory cytokines correlated significantly with some nutrient intakes.
These results imply the relationship between nutrient intake and disease activity in patients with RA. It is important to develop nutrition guidance to improve symptoms for patients with RA.