Mediterranean diet and exercise are associated with better disease control in psoriatic arthritis.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to investigate the impact of Mediterranean diet and exercise on the presentation and severity of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and psoriasis (PsO).
Results Summary
Higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with reduced disease activity markers (ESR, PASI, BSA) in PsA patients. Exercise also showed an inverse correlation with disease activity indices, independent of BMI.
Population
355 patients with psoriatic arthritis (n=279) and psoriasis (n=76).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
exercise | decrease | Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis Score (DAPSA) | patients with PsA and psoriasis | - | had an inverse correlation with | #1 |
exercise | decrease | tender joint counts | patients with PsA and psoriasis | - | had an inverse correlation with | #2 |
exercise | decrease | swollen joint counts | patients with PsA and psoriasis | - | had an inverse correlation with | #3 |
exercise | decrease | erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) | patients with PsA and psoriasis | - | had an inverse correlation with | #4 |
exercise | decrease | Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) | patients with PsA and psoriasis | - | had an inverse correlation with | #5 |
Mediterranean diet | decrease | erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) | patients with PsA and psoriasis | - | was associated with reduced | #6 |
Mediterranean diet | decrease | Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) | patients with PsA and psoriasis | - | was associated with reduced | #7 |
Mediterranean diet | decrease | body surface area (BSA) indices | patients with PsA and psoriasis | - | was associated with reduced | #8 |
exercise | decrease | PsA disease activity | patients with PsA and psoriasis | - | retained its positive correlation with | #9 |
Mediterranean diet | decrease | enthesitis | patients with PsA and psoriasis | - | showed significant correlation only with | #10 |
Mediterranean diet and exercise | decrease | PsA activity | patients with PsA and psoriasis | - | have positive effects on | #11 |
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is associated with obesity and other related comorbidities, which impose an additional burden on disease activity and response to treatment. We investigated the impact of Mediterranean diet, and exercise on the presentation and severity of PsA. Three hundred fifty-five patients with PsA (n = 279) and psoriasis (PsO) (n = 76) were included in a cross-sectional study. Demographic and clinical characteristics and dietary and exercise patterns were recorded. Patients were grouped into (i) high, moderate, and low Mediterranean diet adherence and (ii) high, medium, and low activity level. Levels of diet and exercise were correlated with disease activity indices. PsA patients had more comorbidities than their PsO counterparts (42.7% vs. 26.3%, p = .038). The majority showed a low exercise pattern (total = 71.3%, PsA = 72.4%, PsO = 67.1%). Approximately half (total = 44.2%, PsA = 43.4%, PsO = 47.4%) did not follow a Mediterranean diet. Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis Score (DAPSA) (p = .004), tender (p = .003) and swollen (p = .015) joint counts, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (p = .001), and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) (p = .015) had an inverse correlation with exercise. Higher Mediterranean diet adherence was associated with reduced ESR (p = .056), PASI (p = .011), and body surface area (BSA) (p = .009) indices. After adjusting for body mass index (BMI), exercise retained its positive correlation with PsA disease activity, but diet showed significant correlation only with enthesitis (p = 0.015). Uptake of a Mediterranean diet and exercise have positive effects on PsA activity, independently of BMI. These findings support lifestyle recommendations to supplement conventional treatment for improvement in disease outcomes. Key points • Diet and lifestyle are important influencers of health-related outcomes in PsA. • In this cross-sectional study of 355 patients with psoriatic disease, we found that Med Diet and exercise improve outcomes in PsA independently of weight loss. • Our results suggest that diet and lifestyle modifications should supplement conventional medical treatments.