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Neurological Sciences
Published in: Neurological Sciences 7/2022

15-02-2022 | Multiple Sclerosis | Original Article

Dietary habits, nutritional status and risk of a first demyelinating event: an incident case-control study in a southern European cohort

Authors: Paola Cavalla, Paola Golzio, Daniela Maietta, Chiara Bosa, Maria Barbara Pasanisi, Anastasia Alteno, Valentina Schillaci, Gianfranco Costantini, Paola Durelli, Erica Cuffini, Stefania Panizzolo, Antonella De Francesco, Adriano Chiò, Marco Vercellino

Published in: Neurological Sciences | Issue 7/2022

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Abstract

Background

The relationship between dietary habits and multiple sclerosis (MS) risk is still controversial. Most studies have involved populations from Scandinavia, North America, and Australia. Data on populations from southern Europe (an area of high MS prevalence) are scarce.

Objective

To examine the association between dietary habits/nutritional status and risk of a first demyelinating event, in a southern European incident cohort.

Methods

In this incident case-control study, a detailed nutritional assessment was performed by a registered dietitian in patients with a first demyelinating event, and in age-/sex-matched controls. Body composition analysis, anthropometric evaluation, and blood tests for nutritional status were also performed.

Results

Eighty-three patients with a first demyelinating event were prospectively recruited over a 1-year period. Low intake of fibers (OR 0.846, p = 0.014), vitamin D (OR 0.730, p < 0.0001), and alpha-linolenic acid (OR 0.283, p = 0.014), high BMI (OR 1.132, p = 0.028), and ever smoker status (OR 4.472, p = 0.003) were all independently associated with risk of a first demyelinating event. Higher intake of rapid absorption carbohydrates, lower intake of vegetal proteins, and higher intake of animal proteins were observed in patients with a first demyelinating event.

Conclusions

Significant differences between patients and controls are observed in the dietary habits at the time of a first demyelinating event, suggesting low intake of fibers, vitamin D and alpha-linolenic acid as the main dietary risk factors. Furthermore, high cardiovascular risk dietary habits are frequent at the time of MS onset, suggesting the usefulness of nutritional intervention as part of the activities of MS centers.
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Metadata
Title
Dietary habits, nutritional status and risk of a first demyelinating event: an incident case-control study in a southern European cohort
Authors
Paola Cavalla
Paola Golzio
Daniela Maietta
Chiara Bosa
Maria Barbara Pasanisi
Anastasia Alteno
Valentina Schillaci
Gianfranco Costantini
Paola Durelli
Erica Cuffini
Stefania Panizzolo
Antonella De Francesco
Adriano Chiò
Marco Vercellino
Publication date
15-02-2022
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Neurological Sciences / Issue 7/2022
Print ISSN: 1590-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1590-3478
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-022-05908-0

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