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Ketogenic diet improves disease activity and cardiovascular risk in psoriatic arthritis: A proof of concept study.

PloS one
May 5, 2025
Roberta Ramonda et al. (12 authors)
Journal ArticleHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to assess the impact of a very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) on anthropometric measurements, inflammatory biomarkers, metabolic health, and cardiovascular risk in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients with moderate overweight or class I obesity.

Results Summary

The study found that VLCKD significantly improved PsA activity, metabolic health, and cardiovascular parameters, with greater benefits observed in patients with higher baseline BMI or less controlled disease. Most inflammatory biomarkers remained within normal limits, and BMI reduction correlated with improvements in disease activity.

Population

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients with BMI ≥27 and <35, in stable remission or low disease activity.

Effective Dosage

Not specified (very low-calorie ketogenic diet regimen).

Duration

9 weeks

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (10)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
Very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD)
decrease
weight
-
rapid
led to rapid weight loss
#1
Very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD)
decrease
inflammation
-
-
may reduce
#2
Very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD)
decrease
all anthropometric measures
psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients moderately overweight or in class I obesity
BMI -3.5[-4;-2.6]
significant improvements were observed in
#3
Very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD)
decrease
PsA activity (DAPSA)
psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients moderately overweight or in class I obesity
-6.1[-16.8;3.7]
significant improvements were observed in
#4
Very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD)
decrease
cardiovascular parameters (SCORE2 index)
psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients moderately overweight or in class I obesity
-0.2[-0.7;0.1]
significant improvements were observed in
#5
Very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD)
decrease
insulin resistance (Homeostatic Model Assessment-Insuline Resistance)
psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients moderately overweight or in class I obesity
-2.1[-1.1;-3.0]
significant improvements were observed in
#6
Very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD)
improvement
lipid profile
psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients moderately overweight or in class I obesity
-
significant improvements were observed in
#7
Very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD)
no change
most inflammatory biomarkers
psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients moderately overweight or in class I obesity
-
remained within normal limits
#8
Very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD)
decrease
PsA activity
psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients moderately overweight or in class I obesity
-
significantly improved
#9
Very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD)
improvement
metabolic health
psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients moderately overweight or in class I obesity
-
significantly improved
#10
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) is a low-carbohydrate, low-calorie regimen that leads to rapid weight loss and may reduce inflammation. This study assessed the impact of VLCKD on anthropometric measurements, inflammatory biomarkers, metabolic health, and cardiovascular risk in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients moderately overweight or in class I obesity. METHODS: A proof-of-concept single-arm monocentric study involved PsA patients undergoing a 9-week VLCKD treatment. Patients with Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥27 and <35, in stable (≥6 months) remission or low disease activity, as defined by Disease Activity in PSoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA) score, were included and underwent nutritional evaluations every 3 weeks. The study analyzed changes after the VLCKD intervention and the association between changes of anthropometric parameters and clinical and laboratory variables. RESULTS: Twenty patients were enrolled since April 2022 and completed the study in May 2023. Median baseline BMI was 30.9 (interquartile range 29.1-33) kg/m². All participants exhibited low baseline disease activity, which correlated with BMI (Spearman's correlation coefficient (rs)=0.59,p=0.007). Following VLCKD, significant improvements were observed in all anthropometric measures (BMI -3.5[-4;-2.6]), PsA activity (DAPSA -6.1[-16.8;3.7]), cardiovascular parameters (SCORE2 index -0.2[-0.7;0.1]), insulin resistance (Homeostatic Model Assessment-Insuline Resistance -2.1[-1.1;-3.0]), and lipid profile. Most inflammatory biomarkers remained within normal limits. BMI reduction correlated with changes in DAPSA scores (rs=0.52,p=0.020). Patients with higher baseline weight or clinical activity experienced more pronounced improvements. CONCLUSIONS: VLCKD significantly improved PsA activity and metabolic health. Patients with a higher BMI and less controlled disease are particularly motivated and could benefit more from VLCKD compared to those with lower BMI or better disease control.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansArthritis, PsoriaticMaleFemaleMiddle AgedDiet, KetogenicProof of Concept StudyCardiovascular DiseasesBody Mass IndexAdultHeart Disease Risk FactorsObesityAged
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality70/10
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score2.40
Normalized Score0.68
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