The nutritional status of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients compared to that of healthy people: a Turkish hospital-based study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective This study compares the nutritional status and physical activity levels of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients and healthy people. Method The study included 120 participants: 60 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and 60 controls. RRMS diagnoses were made based on the 2017 McDonald criteria. The food intake frequency questionnaire was administered to the participants, their threeday food intake records were collected, their activity levels were determined, and anthropometric measurements were made. The differences between the groups were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U test and Pearson's exact chi-squared test. Results The participants with MS (46.7%) had a significantly lower rate of shopping for their own food compared to the control group (68.3%) (p = 0.002). The MS group (3.3%) had a lower rate of intake of green leafy vegetables 5 times weekly or more frequently than the control group (20.0%) (p < 0.05); and the control group (35.0%) had a higher consumption rate of pastry more than 1 to 2 times monthly than the MS group (13.3%) (p < 0.05). The participants with MS had a higher intake of fiber, insoluble fiber, and omega 3 fatty acid than the control group (p < 0.05). Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores indicates that a positive correlation was found between daily intake of fiber and insoluble fiber (p < 0.05). The patients with MS in the inactive group had a higher EDSS median [2.00(0.00 –5.00)] than the minimal active group [1.25(0.00 –4.00)] (p = 0.034). Conclusion With the increase in disability in MS patients, their physical activity levels decrease and it becomes difficult for them to shop on their own. In addition, the consumption frequency of green leafy vegetables, which take time to prepare and a source of fiber, is also decreasing. It has been shown that fiber intake decreases when the disability increase. Therefore, preventing the progression of disability in MS patients is very important in ensuring diversity in food consumption.