Role of Nutrition in Egyptian Multiple Sclerosis Patients and its Relation to Different Clinical Types

Abstract

Background: Demyelination, inflammation and oxidative injury are the main pathological hallmarks of multiple sclerosis (MS). Antioxidant factors in the diet may regulate the activation of immuneinflammatory cells, decreasing inflammation. They may also mitigate oxidative stress, preventing chronic demyelination and axonal damage. Aim of work: Evaluate of the consumption rate of
nutrients between patients with relapsing-remitting and progressive multiple sclerosis. We are also trying to determine the role of deficiencies in dietary factors considered antioxidants or antiinflammatory in the course of the disease. Patients and Methods: Across-Sectional Analytical study among (86) relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and (33) progressive MS (SPMS, PPMS). Patients attending Kasr Al Ainy Multiple Sclerosis Research Unit (KAMSRU), the Multiple Sclerosis Clinic of the Neurology department, Cairo University. The sample consisted of both genders aged ≥ 18 years, who had been diagnosed with MS for at least one year. The Data were collected using a structured interview questionnaire including reliable Socioeconomic Status Scale (SES), anthropometric measurements, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), the food frequency papers and 24- hour recall questionnaire to evaluate the actual daily intake of nutrients. Results: The mean age of all patients was (33.49 ± 9.8) years; females represented more than (76.4%) of all patients, with
a significant higher of females among RRMS than Prog MS, younger age was also significantly associated with RRMS patients (P. values = 0.01, 0.001 respectively). Our results point to statistically significant differences between patients with RRMS and Prog MS in their intake of Potassium and Iron (P. values = 0.015, 0.01 respectively), where most patients with prog MS have a higher mean daily intake of potassium and iron than patients with RRMS. There were no significant differences between RRMS and Prog MS in their daily intake of calories, water, protein, fat, carbohydrate, fiber, sodium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, zinc, copper, vitamin-A, vitamin C, thiamin and riboflavin. Conclusion: High daily intake of potassium and iron were associated with Prog MS more than RRMS, so this must be taken into account during diet planning.