The role of dietary antioxidant index and index of nutritional quality in MS onset: finding from an Iranian population-based incident case–control study

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The role of nutritional factors in MS etiology is a matter of debate. Employing dietary antioxidant index (DAI) as well as index of nutritional quality (INQ) we aimed to investigate the possible link between diet and MS risk.

Methods

This was a large population-based case–control study recruiting 547 incident cases and 1057 population controls between August 2013 and February 2015. DAI and INQ were calculated based on the adolescence dietary intake of the participants. Logistic regression was employed for estimating adjusted odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence interval in 2018.

Results

Participants with less than median DAI values had two-fold increased risk of MS onset (adjusted OR 2.05, 95% CI: 1.64–2.58, P < 0.001). A significant dose–response pattern for DAI (adjusted OR 1.35, 95% CI: 1.18–1.55, P for trend <0.001) was also detected. In the case of INQ, the strongest decreased risk were detected for vitamin D (OR = 0.09) and Zinc (OR = 0.34), followed by vitamin A (OR = 0.49), Calcium (OR = 0.49) and vitamin B6 (OR = 0.51) (All P-values < 0.05).

Conclusion

Considering the inherent limitation of case–control designs, an appropriate intake of nutrient antioxidants may have a role in decreasing the likelihood of MS risk. Moreover, those with healthier diet assessed by index of nutritional quality were at decreased risk for MS.

KEYWORDS:

• Nutrition
• INQ
• DAI
• case–control
• multiple sclerosis

Acknowledgments

The authors appreciate the cooperation of the staff members of the Iranian multiple sclerosis society. Statement of authors’ contributions to manuscript: I. A. incorporated in (1) designed research; (2) conducted research (3) provided essential reagents or provided essential materials; (4) analyzed data; (5) wrote paper; and (6) had primary responsibility for final content. S. N. incorporated in designed research; (2) provided essential reagents; (3) analyzed data; (4) and wrote paper; F. V. incorporated in (1) conducted research (2) provided essential materials; (3) analyzed data; and (4) wrote paper; Y. S. incorporated in designed research; (2) provided essential reagents; (3) analyzed data; M. A. M. incorporated in designed research; (2) provided essential reagents; (3) analyzed data; and (4) wrote paper; B. W.-G. incorporated in (1) designed research; (2) provided essential materials; (3) analyzed data; and (4) wrote paper. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Funding

This project has been a part of Ibrahim Abdollahpour’s PhD dissertation in epidemiology and supported by Tehran University of Medical Sciences (Dissertation Project Number: 93-04-10-240/691).