Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2023 Apr 11. doi: 10.1002/acr.25128. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: In this study we obtained descriptive data on the beliefs, behaviors, and openness regarding dietary changes for rheumatic diseases (RMDs) in an urban U.S. Hispanic RMD patient population, as foundational data for future intervention design.
METHODS: We distributed a voluntary survey to our primarily Hispanic population at an outpatient rheumatology clinic for 19 weeks. This survey queried individuals’ behaviors as it related to dietary intake used for RMD treatment, perceptions of the effect of food groups on RMD activity, barriers to physician-recommended diets, and willingness to try future interventions. We used descriptive statistics and Pearson’s chi-square test to evaluate associations.
RESULTS: Over 40% of survey respondents from our primarily (88%) Hispanic population noted a link between what they ate and their underlying RMD activity. Over a third of patients had, at some point, modified dietary intake to affect their RMD. Vegetables, fruit, and white meats were commonly reported to improve disease, while red meat and processed foods were reported to worsen disease. Barriers to following a pre-specified diet included cost and lack of knowledge. Over 70% of respondents indicated willingness to attempt certain eating patterns should it help their underlying RMD.
CONCLUSION: In this primarily Hispanic RMD patient population, many have not only noted a correlation between dietary intake and RMD activity, but are also open to future nutrition-related interventions. As this population experiences poor RMD outcomes and a high rate of lifestyle-related comorbidities, an intervention to optimize healthy eating patterns would likely be beneficial as well as acceptable.
PMID:37038969 | DOI:10.1002/acr.25128
