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Effect of Anti-Inflammatory Diets on Pain in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Katja A Schönenberger1,2, Anne-Catherine Schüpfer1, Viktoria L Gloy3
1Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology, Nutritional Medicine and Metabolism, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland.
Anti-inflammatory diets, such as Mediterranean and vegan, significantly reduced pain in rheumatoid arthritis patients. This meta-analysis suggests dietary changes can be a valuable tool for managing rheumatoid arthritis pain.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Nutritional Science
- Evidence-Based Medicine
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease.
- Nutritional therapies, including ω-3 fatty acid-rich diets, are explored for RA management.
- Potential anti-inflammatory diets include Mediterranean, vegetarian, vegan, and ketogenic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of anti-inflammatory diets on pain in rheumatoid arthritis.
- To assess secondary outcomes like inflammatory markers and disease activity.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
- Searched MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL up to November 12, 2021.
- Included 7 RCTs with 326 participants; assessed risk of bias.
Main Results:
- Anti-inflammatory diets significantly lowered pain scores compared to ordinary diets (-9.22 mm).
- Evidence quality was very low due to a high risk of bias in included studies.
Conclusions:
- Anti-inflammatory diets show potential for reducing pain in rheumatoid arthritis.
- Further high-quality research is needed to confirm these findings.
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