Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that affects 0.5-1% of the population and in which his remission is not always achieved, affecting physical and mental well-being and quality of life (QL). As a complement to pharmacotherapy, dietary intervention should be evaluated as a treatment option. The main objective of this parallel controlled randomized clinical trial is to check the effect of an anti-inflammatory dietary intervention, compared to a diet based on the principles of the Mediterranean diet (control), on disease activity (AD) and improving QL. Patients will be instructed to follow an anti-inflammatory diet (DAI) or a control diet (DC) for 6 months. The AD and QL will be evaluated at the end of the intervention. As there are no dietary guidelines for RA, this study aims to provide scientific evidence about the impact of diet therapy on reducing AD and improving QL.
The main objective of this trial is to check the effect of an DAI, compared to a DC, on reducing AD and improving QL. As secondary objectives, it is intended to investigate the relationship of DAI with inflammatory markers and with the modulation of the composition / diversity of the intestinal microbiota, in comparison with a DC. This study combines all dietary components with an anti-inflammatory effect, thus allowing the possibility of evaluating the full potential of dietary treatment in the disease, including intestinal microbiota modulation. These results are intended to further contribute to clinical decision making and better evidence-based treatment.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
26
Diet following mediterranean principles, for 15 weeks
Diet combining food items with anti-inflammatory potential, following the principles described in Rondanelli, Clinical Nutrition, 2021 Mar;40(3):661-689. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2020.08.020.
Hospital Particular do Algarve - HPA Saúde
Portimão, Portugal
Changes in disease activity
Difference between the intervention and control group in the changes in Disease Activity (using DAS28 score: greater than 2,6 implies active disease), from baseline to the end of follow-up
Time frame: 15 weeks
Changes in Quality of Life
Difference between the intervention and control group in changes in Quality of Life (Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ): scores of 0 to 1 are generally considered to represent mild to moderate difficulty, 1 to 2 moderate to severe disability, and 2 to 3 severe to very severe disability), from baseline to the end of follow-up
Time frame: 15 weeks
Changes in C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
Difference between the intervention and control group in changes in C-Reactive Protein (CRP) measured in mg/L, from baseline to the end of follow-up
Time frame: 15 weeks
Changes in Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
Difference between the intervention and control group in changes in Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) measured in mm/h, from baseline to the end of follow-up
Time frame: 15 weeks
Changes in Rheumatoid Factor (RF)
Difference between the intervention and control group changes in Rheumatoid Factor (RF) measured in IU/mL, from baseline to the end of follow-up
Time frame: 15 weeks
Changes in Gut microbiota
Difference between the intervention and control group in the change of gut microbiota from baseline to the end of follow-up. Bacterial DNA will be extracted from fecal samples. 16SRNA gene will be sequenced by next-generation sequencing (NGS). All the identified bacterial phyla, genus and species will be expressed in percentage.
Time frame: 15 weeks
Changes in weight
Difference between the intervention and control group changes in weight, measured in Kg, from baseline to the end of follow-up
Time frame: 15 weeks
Changes in Body Mass Index (BMI)
Difference between the intervention and control group changes in BMI, calculated using weight and height, presented in kg/m2: underweight \< 18,5; normoweight 18,6-24,9; overweight 25-29,9; obese \>30, from baseline to the end of follow-up
Time frame: 15 weeks
Changes in waist circumference perimeter
Difference between the intervention and control group changes in waist circumference perimeter, measured in cm, from baseline to the end of follow-up
Time frame: 15 weeks
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