Higher Mediterranean diet score is associated with longer time between relapses in Australian females with multiple sclerosis

TL;DR

This study found that a higher Mediterranean diet score is linked to longer periods between relapses in Australian females with multiple sclerosis, suggesting diet may influence disease activity.

Contribution

It provides longitudinal evidence that adherence to a Mediterranean diet correlates with increased relapse-free periods in MS patients, especially females.

Findings

Higher Mediterranean diet score associated with longer relapse intervals.

Dietary patterns may influence MS disease activity.

Further research needed on specific diet components.

Abstract

A higher Mediterranean diet score has been associated with lower likelihood of multiple sclerosis. However, evidence regarding its association with disease activity and progression is limited. Using data from the AusLong Study, we tested longitudinal associations (over 10 years follow-up) between the alternate Mediterranean diet score (aMED) and aMED-Red (including moderate consumption of unprocessed red meat) and time between relapses and disability measured by Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) (n=132; 27 males, 105 females). We used covariate-adjusted survival analysis for time between relapses, and time series mixed-effects negative binomial regression for EDSS. After adjusting for covariates, both higher aMED (aHR=0.94, 95%CI: 0.90, 0.99, p=0.009) and higher aMED-Red (aHR=0.93, 95%CI: 0.89, 0.97, p=0.001) were associated with significantly longer time between relapses in females. Whether specific dietary components of a Mediterranean diet are important in relation to relapses merits further study.