Association of the Mediterranean diet with arterial stiffness, inflammation, and medication use in women with systemic lupus erythematosus: An exploratory study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to analyze the association of adherence to the Mediterranean Diet with arterial stiffness, inflammation, and disease-related medication use in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Results Summary
The study found no overall association between adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and arterial stiffness, inflammation, or medication use. However, lower intake of full dairy products was linked to higher corticosteroid use, and lower red wine consumption was associated with lower immunosuppressant use.
Population
76 women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Cross-sectional study (no intervention duration specified)
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
overall adherence to the Mediterranean Diet | no change | pulse wave velocity (PWV) | women with SLE | all P>.05 | No association | #1 |
overall adherence to the Mediterranean Diet | no change | high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) | women with SLE | all P>.05 | No association | #2 |
overall adherence to the Mediterranean Diet | no change | medication use | women with SLE | all P>.05 | No association | #3 |
Lower intake of full dairy products | increase | corticosteroids use | women with SLE | odds=1.72; P=.004 | was related to greater odds of | #4 |
Lower intake of full dairy products | increase | current doses of corticosteroids | women with SLE | β=0.29; P=.024 | was related to greater | #5 |
Lower intake of full dairy products | increase | cumulative doses of corticosteroids | women with SLE | β=0.21; P=.040 | was related to greater | #6 |
Lower intake of red wine | decrease | immunosuppressants use | women with SLE | odds=0.63; P=.008 | was associated with lower odds of | #7 |
overall adherence to the Mediterranean Diet | no change | arterial stiffness | women with SLE with mild disease activity | - | No association | #8 |
overall adherence to the Mediterranean Diet | no change | inflammation | women with SLE with mild disease activity | - | No association | #9 |
overall adherence to the Mediterranean Diet | no change | disease-related medication | women with SLE with mild disease activity | - | No association | #10 |
higher dairy products consumption | decrease | disease-related medication | women with SLE | - | were related to lower use of | #11 |
lower red wine consumption | decrease | disease-related medication | women with SLE | - | were related to lower use of | #12 |
Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) face increased cardiovascular risk not fully explained by traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Arterial stiffness, inflammation and disease-related therapies may be contributors to augmented cardiovascular risk, whereas healthy dietary habits could help in their management. The aim of the present study was to analyze the association of the adherence to the Mediterranean Diet with arterial stiffness, inflammation, and disease-related medication in women with SLE. A total of 76 women with SLE were included in this cross-sectional exploratory study. The adherence to the Mediterranean Diet was assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Score. Arterial stiffness was measured through pulse wave velocity (PWV). Inflammatory profile was evaluated through high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). The use (yes / no) and doses (mg /day and cumulative dose over the last 3 years) of corticosteroids and immunosuppressants were also registered. No association of the overall adherence to the Mediterranean Diet with PWV, hsCRP or medication use was found (all P>.05). Lower intake of full dairy products was related to greater odds of corticosteroids use (odds=1.72; P=.004), and both higher current (β=0.29; P=.024) and cumulative (β=0.21; P=.040) doses. Lower intake of red wine was associated with lower odds of immunosuppressants use (odds=0.63; P=.008). No association of the adherence to the Mediterranean Diet with arterial stiffness, inflammation or disease-related medication was observed in women with SLE with mild disease activity. However, higher dairy products and lower red wine consumption were related to lower use of disease-related medication. Future intervention studies are needed to better understand how nutritional education promoting Mediterranean Diet food groups can complement conventional SLE treatments.