Does diet have a role in the aetiology of rheumatoid arthritis?

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Proc Nutr Soc. 2004 Feb;63(1):137-43.

Does diet have a role in the aetiology of rheumatoid arthritis?

Pattison DJ, Symmons DP, Young A.

Arthritis Research Campaign Epidemiology Unit, Stopford Building,

University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.

dorothy.pattison@...

Although dietary factors have been extensively studied in many chronic

diseases, the role of diet in the epidemiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

has received little attention. Fruit and vegetables and dietary antioxidants

are thought to play a protective role in the pathogenesis of CVD and some

cancers, but few studies have investigated these dietary components in the

aetiology of RA. Fish oil supplementation has consistently been shown to

have a beneficial effect on the symptoms of established RA, but it is not

known whether the PUFA present in fish oils can reduce the risk of

developing the disease. There is evidence that RA is less severe in the

southern Mediterranean countries, such as Italy and Greece, where oil-rich

fish, fruit, vegetables and olive oil are consumed in greater amounts than

in many other countries. Overall, the evidence for a role of diet in the

aetiology of RA is limited to a small number of observational studies of

very different designs. Recently, it was demonstrated that lower intakes of

fruit and vegetables and dietary vitamin C are associated with an increased

risk of developing inflammatory polyarthritis in a free-living population in

Norfolk, UK. These findings provide further evidence for a role of diet in

the development of inflammatory arthritis, although the mechanisms involved

are uncertain.

PMID: 15099410 [PubMed - in process]