Analysis of the relationship between compliance with mediterranean diet and serum total antioxidant status of adult women with rheumatoid arthritis

The aim of this study is to determine the serum total antioxidant and oxidant level and nutritional status of adult women with rheumatoid arthritis and to examine the relation between these parameters, compliance with the Mediterranean diet and the severity of the disease. This study was carried out on a total of 70 people, including 35 female patients who were diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (case) (45.4±11.61year) aged between 19 and 64 and 35 healthy women (control) (42.5±8.5year). General information of the individuals, nutrition habits, physical activity records, compliance with the Mediterranean diet score were recorded in the questionnaire form. Assessment of disease activity score (DAS-28) of individuals with rheumatoid arthritis was performed by the physician. Total antioxidant and oxidant levels were analyzed in serum for all individuals. Averages age and BMI of individuals were similar (p>0.05). The mean level of physical activity (PAL) of the subjects in the case group was 1.53±0.13, whereas that of the control group was 1.59±0.10 (p<0.05). Serum total antioxidant status (TAS) of the individuals in the case group was lower, whereas total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) were higher than that of controls (p<0.05). The average daily olive oil consumption (8.0 ± 7.63g) was higher in the control group than in the case group (4.9 ± 7.70g) (p <0.05). Dietary iron and zinc intake in the control group were higher than the case group (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant relationship between DAS-28 scores and serum TAS, TOS, OSI levels, food consumption or nutrient intake (p>0.05). Consequently, it is proposed to practise and follow individualized medical nutrition treatments by evaluating the nutritional status of individuals in order to reduce the symptoms and to prevent other health problems that may occur in rheumatoid arthritis.