The association between dietary inflammatory index and risk of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: a case–control study

ABSTRACT

Background and aim

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a severe and rare inflammatory disease affecting the central nervous system through optic neuritis and transverse myelitis. Present study aimed to investigate the association between dietary inflammatory index (DII) and risk of NMOSD.

Methods

In this case–control study, 30 NMOSD cases and 90 aged matched healthy individuals were recruited. Habitual dietary intakes were assessed by a validated 168-item food frequency questionnaire to calculate the DII score. A multiple adjusted regression was used to determine the odd ratio (OR) of NMOSD across DII tertiles. The Residual method was applied to adjust the energy intake.

Results

Participants in the top of DII tertile were more likely to have NMOSD in the crude model compared to those with the lowest one (OR: 4.18; 95%CI: 1.43-12.21). It was the case when multivariable confounders were considered in adjustment model I (OR: 3.98; 95%CI: 1.34-11.82) and II (OR: 4.43; 95%CI: 1.36-14.38), such that, individuals with a greater DII score had 3.98 and 4.43-time higher risk of NMOSD in model I and II, respectively.

Conclusion

The Present study suggests that greater adherence to a pro-inflammatory diet may be associated with an increased risk of NMOSD.

KEYWORDS:

• Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder
• dietary inflammatory index
• pro-inflammatory diet
• incidence risk

Disclosure statement

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

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author, (SM, S).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Leila Darvishi

Leila Darvishi is a master of nutritional science and diet therapy, with a focus on complementary therapy in inflammatory diseases. One of her notable research articles is ‘Effect of Eight Weeks of Quercetin Supplementation on Exercise Performance, Muscle Damage and Body Muscle in Male Badminton Players.’ (International Journal of Preventive Medicine 2013)

Vahid Shaygannejad

Vahid Shaygannejad a professor of neurology, has greatly impacted the field of neurological research, particularly in the study of diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). His recent work includes a systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Iran. ( Neurological Sciences 2022)

Marjan Mansourian

Marjan Mansourian , a professor of biostatistics, has been conducting groundbreaking research in the field. Her recent study, titled ‘Curcumin supplementation prevents cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity: a randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled trial,’ (Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences 2023) focuses on the potential benefits of curcumin in preventing kidney damage caused by cisplatin.

Parvane Saneei

Parvane Saneei is an associate professor of nutritional sciences with extensive research on the relationship between metabolic diseases and food patterns and nutrition. One of her recent articles is ‘Dietary Phytochemical Index in Relation to Metabolic Health Status, Serum Adropin, and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels in Adults.’ (Current Developments in Nutrition 2024)

Omid Mirmosayyeb

Omid Mirmosayyeb has focused most of his research on neurological diseases, particularly multiple sclerosis (MS). His recent work includes conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis on the relationship between optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurements and cognitive performance in MS patients. (Journal of Neurology 2023)

Sayyed Morteza Safavi

Sayyed Morteza Safavi, as a professor of nutritional sciences, is actively involved in research related to clinical nutrition and food security. His recent article titled ‘Sodium and potassium intakes and adiposity among Iranian pre-adolescents and adolescents: A cross-sectional study’(Nutrition Journal 2022) indicates his focus on studying the relationship between sodium and potassium intakes and adiposity in Iranian youth.