The effects of modified anti-inflammatory diet on fatigue, quality of life, and inflammatory biomarkers in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Background

The role of dietary interventions in improving the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has always been considered, but few studies have been conducted in this area. This study aimed to investigate the effects of modified anti-inflammatory diet on fatigue, quality of life, and inflammatory markers among patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS).

Methods

This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 100 patients with RRMS. The patients were randomly divided into the diet group (anti-inflammatory diet) or the control group (healthy diet recommendations) for 12 weeks. Fatigue and quality of life were assessed by Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) and Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life (MSQoL-54), respectively. Anthropometric measures and inflammatory biomarkers, including Interleukin 17 (IL-17), Interleukin 4 (IL-4), and high sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP), were assessed at baseline and end of the study.

Results

The results showed a significant improvement in MFIS as well as in physical and mental components of MSQoL-54 (p = 0.001, p = 0.015, and p = 0.003, respectively) in the diet group compared to the control group. The results also showed a significant increase in IL-4 level (p = 0.022). However, no significant changes were detected in IL-17 and hs-CRP levels (p = 0.091, 0.418, respectively).

Conclusion

Modified anti-inflammatory diet could improve fatigue and quality of life and increase IL-4 level.

Keywords:

• Multiple sclerosis
• Diet Fatigue
• Inflammation
• Quality of life

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank Ms. A. Keivanshekouh at the Research Improvement Center of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences for improving the use of English in the manuscript. They also wish to acknowledge Mr. A. Keshtvarz at the Center for Development of Clinical Research of Nemazee Hospital for his statistical assistance.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This article was extracted from PhD thesis of Zahra Mousavi-Shirazi-Fard and was financially supported (project No. 96-16241) by Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.