Lifestyle and Mediterranean diet adherence in a cohort of Southern Italian patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Several studies supported the beneficial effects of the Mediterranean diet (MeDi) on chronic diseases. In Multiple Sclerosis (MS), the MeDi might interfere with systemic inflammatory state, gut microbiota, and comorbidities. The Med Diet Score (MDS) estimates the adherence to the MeDi and the cardiovascular (CV) risk. Aims of our study were i) to photograph lifestyle and diet habits of a southern Italy cohort of people with MS (pwMS), and ii) to investigate the impact of the MeDi on MS clinical outcomes.

We conducted a multi-center, cross-sectional study, enrolling 435 consecutive consenting pwMS, attending the outpatient clinics for routine follow-up visits. Participants underwent a clinical examination and a 29-item self-administered questionnaire on life and dietary habits. Disease phenotype, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), MS Severity Score (MSSS), waist circumference (WC), Body Mass Index (BMI), therapies, and comorbidities, were updated. MDS was assessed and correlated with current and retrospective clinical data.

75.8% of respondents were interested in nutrition, 72.8% were non-smokers, 52.9% performed physical activity, and 45.6% used food supplements. MDS was higher in pwMS with normal WC (p = 0.031), and inversely correlated with MSSS (p = 0.013) and EDSS (p = 0.012) at survey time. MDS did not correlate with the total number of relapses (before and after diagnosis) (p = 0.372). Metabolic comorbidities were associated with an increased 10-year CV risk (r = 0.85, p = 0.002).

Our findings suggest a putative beneficial effect of the MeDi on WC, MS course and disability. Given the role of chronic systemic inflammation in maintenance of autoimmunity and secondary neurodegeneration, both involved in long-term disability, we may suppose a beneficial effect of the MeDi on MS long-term disability outcomes, probably mediated by a modulation of the gut microbiota and the low-grade chronic systemic inflammation.