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Dietary Supplements and Nutritional Approaches Used for Rheumatoid Arthritis Self‐Management
Author(s) -
Groff Rachel,
Strom Meghan,
Hopkins Laura,
Feng Lena,
Hopkins Allison,
Funk Janet
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.lb396
Subject(s) - medicine , rheumatoid arthritis , vitamin d and neurology , dietary management , vitamin , methotrexate , vitamin b12 , disease , cross sectional study , pathology
The autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), leads to joint pain and inflammation. Pharmaceutical drugs, including methotrexate, as well as antibodies directed against inflammatory cytokines (“biologics”) are frequently used to combat this disease. Diet and dietary supplement use is a common symptom self‐management approach among RA patients, but the identity and frequency of specific types of dietary approaches used is currently unknown. To better understand this, we developed an anonymous, online or in‐clinic survey reporting use of individual pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements (vitamins, minerals, or natural products), and dietary approaches by RA patients for their symptom management. Responses were collected primarily using community‐(vs. clinic‐) based outreach in Tucson, Arizona. Cross‐sectional analysis of data reported here is for use of specific medications, supplements, or foods for symptom management from individuals with self‐reported RA (n= 206). Most participants were middle aged (57.4 ± 12.9 years), non‐Hispanic (82%, n= 168), Caucasian (86%, n= 178) and female (91%, n= 188). Almost all individuals reported living in the U.S. (96%, n= 197), with the majority residing in Arizona (67.0%, n= 138). Current methotrexate or biologic use was reported by 42% (n= 86) and 24% (n= 50) of respondents, respectively. Vitamin and/or mineral use for RA management was reported by 85% (n= 176). The following had the highest reported current use: vitamin D (54%, n= 112), folate (39%; n=80), calcium (35%, n= 73), multivitamins (34%, n= 69), and vitamin B12 (21%, n= 44). Non‐vitamin/mineral, natural product supplement use for RA management was reported by 63% of respondents (n= 129). Of these, turmeric (29%, n= 60), fish oil (25%, n= 52), ginger (13%, n= 26), flaxseed (12%, n= 24), and glucosamine/chondroitin (9%, n= 19) were the top currently used. Dietary approaches for RA management were reported by 28% of participants (n= 57); green tea (12%, n= 25), turmeric tea (11%, n= 23), gluten‐free diet (9%, n= 19), coconut oil (6%, n= 12), and paleo diet (4%, n= 9) were the most common dietary approaches in current use. In summary, alternative strategies for RA self‐management were prevalent, with turmeric‐derived products being the most frequently used natural product dietary supplement, as well as a common component of diet‐based approaches. Additional information regarding the safety and efficacy of turmeric in a RA population is warranted.