Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Overseen By Monica Guma, MD, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: University of California, San Diego

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Food allergies, others

No Placebo Group

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial is testing whether an anti-inflammatory diet can improve symptoms in people with rheumatoid arthritis. The diet includes foods that help reduce inflammation. Researchers are also studying how this diet changes gut bacteria and substances in the blood.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if your medication use might make it hard to interpret the study results, you may not be eligible to participate.

What data supports the effectiveness of the Anti-inflammatory Diet, Mediterranean Diet, and Anti-inflammatory Dietary Approach treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Research suggests that the Mediterranean diet, which is part of the anti-inflammatory dietary approach, may help reduce disease activity and improve pain in people with rheumatoid arthritis, although the evidence is not very strong. Some studies have shown improvements in joint pain and swelling when following this diet compared to a regular Western diet. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the anti-inflammatory diet, like the Mediterranean diet, safe for humans?

The Mediterranean diet, often used as an anti-inflammatory diet, is generally considered safe for humans and has been studied for its potential benefits in managing conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. ^{1 3 4 6 7}

How is the anti-inflammatory diet treatment different from other treatments for rheumatoid arthritis?

The anti-inflammatory diet, specifically the Mediterranean diet, is unique because it focuses on dietary changes rather than medication, aiming to reduce inflammation through foods rich in healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables. This approach is different from standard drug treatments, which typically involve medications to manage symptoms and inflammation. ^{1 2 3 4 7}

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals with low to moderate rheumatoid arthritis who haven't changed their treatment or disease activity in the last 3 months. They should be interested in dietary changes and able to attend follow-up visits. It's not for those with food allergies, pregnant or nursing women, or anyone with other health issues that could confuse the results.

Inclusion Criteria

You have mild or moderate symptoms of the condition being studied, and have not had any changes in treatment or symptoms for the last 3 months. You are willing to try a new diet and can attend all follow-up appointments.

Exclusion Criteria

You have allergies to certain types of food.

Pregnancy or lactating. Patients that will become pregnant during the study will be remove from the study.

You have other health conditions or take medications that could make it hard for the doctor to understand the study results.

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants follow an anti-inflammatory diet to assess its effect on rheumatoid arthritis outcomes, microbiome, and circulating metabolites

12 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Anti-inflammatory Diet (N/A)

Trial Overview The study tests two anti-inflammatory diets to see if they improve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers will also look at how these diets might change gut bacteria and body chemicals related to inflammation.

Participant Groups

Group I: Arm_2 Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Anti-Inflammatory diet 2

Group II: Arm_1 Active Control 1 Intervention

Anti-inflammatory diet 1

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, San Diego

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,215

Recruited

1,593,000+

Findings from Research

In a 12-week randomized trial involving 154 overweight and obese patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the Mediterranean diet (MD) significantly reduced disease activity scores (DAS 28) compared to a low-fat high-carbohydrate diet and control group, indicating better management of RA symptoms.

The MD led to a 76% reduction in DAS 28 scores, demonstrating its effectiveness in reducing pain and inflammation in RA patients, regardless of weight loss outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dietary Pattern or Weight Loss: Which One Is More Important to Reduce Disease Activity Score in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis? A Randomized Feeding Trial. Sadeghi, A., Tabatabaiee, M., Mousavi, MA., et al.[2023]

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) following a Mediterranean diet showed significant improvements in disease activity, physical function, and vitality over 12 weeks, with a notable decrease in the disease activity score (DAS28) by 0.56 (p<0.001).

In contrast, patients on a Western diet did not experience significant changes, highlighting the potential of the Mediterranean diet as an effective dietary intervention for managing RA symptoms.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An experimental study of a Mediterranean diet intervention for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Sköldstam, L., Hagfors, L., Johansson, G.[2022]

A review of studies on the Mediterranean diet (MD) and its impact on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) found low evidence supporting its effectiveness in preventing or managing RA.

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet does not seem to significantly affect rheumatoid arthritis indices, suggesting that dietary changes may not be a key factor in RA treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Let Food Be Thy Medicine: The Case of The Mediterranean Diet in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Vranou, P., Gkoutzourelas, A., Athanatou, D., et al.[2020]

The Mediterranean diet has shown beneficial effects in managing rheumatoid arthritis, with two studies reporting significant improvements in pain levels and physical function (p < 0.05).

While some evidence suggests the diet may help reduce disease activity, there is not enough data to recommend it for the prevention of rheumatoid arthritis.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of the Mediterranean diet on rheumatoid arthritis prevention and treatment: a systematic review of human prospective studies. Forsyth, C., Kouvari, M., D'Cunha, NM., et al.[2019]

In a study of 120 rheumatoid arthritis patients, those who adhered more closely to the Mediterranean Diet showed significantly lower disease activity and functional disability, as indicated by lower Disease Activity Score (DAS28-CRP), Rheumatoid Arthritis Impact of Disease (RAID), and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) scores.

Higher adherence to the Mediterranean Diet reduced the odds of having a higher DAS28 score by 70%, suggesting that dietary choices can play a crucial role in managing rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Mediterranean diet, and not dietary inflammatory index, is associated with rheumatoid arthritis disease activity, the impact of disease and functional disability. Charneca, S., Ferro, M., Vasques, J., et al.[2023]

In a study involving 174,638 women from the Nurses' Health Study, researchers found no significant link between adherence to a Mediterranean diet and the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) over a follow-up period of 3,511,050 person-years.

The analysis showed that even women with the highest adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern had a hazard ratio of 0.98 for RA risk, indicating no meaningful difference compared to those with the lowest adherence, suggesting that this diet may not influence RA risk in women.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mediterranean diet and incidence of rheumatoid arthritis in women. Hu, Y., Costenbader, KH., Gao, X., et al.[2022]

The Mediterranean diet may have little to no impact on pain or disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis patients, with a slight potential increase in weight, but the evidence supporting these conclusions is of low certainty.

There is insufficient evidence to determine the effects of the Mediterranean diet on functionality, morning stiffness, or quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis, as the certainty of the evidence is assessed as very low.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Mediterranean diet on the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Porras, M., Rada, G., Durán, J.[2020]

References

1. India pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dietary Pattern or Weight Loss: Which One Is More Important to Reduce Disease Activity Score in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis? A Randomized Feeding Trial. [2023]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An experimental study of a Mediterranean diet intervention for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. [2022]

3. Greece pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Let Food Be Thy Medicine: The Case of The Mediterranean Diet in Rheumatoid Arthritis. [2020]

4. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of the Mediterranean diet on rheumatoid arthritis prevention and treatment: a systematic review of human prospective studies. [2019]

5. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Mediterranean diet, and not dietary inflammatory index, is associated with rheumatoid arthritis disease activity, the impact of disease and functional disability. [2023]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mediterranean diet and incidence of rheumatoid arthritis in women. [2022]

7. Chile pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Mediterranean diet on the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. [2020]