A population based case–control study of association between dietary calcium intake and ulcerative colitis in adults

Abstract

Limited data are available on the association of dietary calcium intake and ulcerative colitis (UC). We aimed to investigate the relation between dietary calcium intake and UC prevalence in Iranian adults. In this population-based case–control study, diagnosed patients with UC by gastroenterologists that were registered in the Iranian inflammatory bowel disease registry were included as cases. Age and sex-matched healthy controls were selected from Study on the Epidemiology of Psychological, Alimentary Health and Nutrition (SEPAHAN) dataset. Dietary calcium intakes of participants were examined through a validated food frequency questionnaire. We included 327 middle-aged participants (109 cases and 218 controls) in the analysis; 52.1% of them were females. After adjustments for potential confounders, individuals in the third tertile of dietary calcium intake had 92% lower odds of UC, compared to those in the first tertile (OR = 0.08, 95% CI 0.02–0.27). Our analysis based on recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) intake showed that dietary Ca intake deficiency was related to increased odds of UC (OR = 9.5, 95% CI 2.98–30.91). Stratified analysis by gender revealed that these associations were significant in both genders; although the results were stronger in the male population. A Significant decreasing trend was observed for odds of UC in tertiles of dietary calcium intakes, in both males and females. Higher dietary calcium intake was associated with lower UC prevalence in Iranian adults. Inadequate dietary calcium intake was also linked to elevated odds of UC. Further prospective investigations are needed to affirm these findings.

Associations of dietary calcium and magnesium intake with chronic diarrheal symptoms and inflammatory bowel disease: a large cross- sectional study in adults

“…Clinical analyses on the connection between dietary calcium intake and IBD are scarce and controversial. Insu cient calcium intake related to increased ulcerative colitis in a case-control study of the Iranian population [20]. In a case-control study in Italy, researchers discovered calcium consumption in individuals with IBD was below the RDA [21,22].…”

Association between dietary calcium to Phosphorus Ratio and the odds of ulcerative colitis: A case-control study

“…Although previous studies have shown the role of various nutrients in the initiation, exacerbation, or prevention of intestinal inflammation [ 22 ], the studies which have considered Ca:P ratio as the main factor seem to be scarce in the literature. However, the protective effects of calcium and the deleterious effects of phosphorus in the pathogenesis of IBDs have been observed in experimental models [ 13 , 19 ]. The effects of dietary calcium in improving intestinal permeability and reducing diarrhea, one as a known etiologic precursor and one as a common symptom of IBDs, have been previously demonstrated.…”

“…In adults, dietary reference intakes (DRIs) for Ca and P are defined as 1200 mg/d and 700 mg/d, respectively; yielding an approximate Ca:P ratio of 1.7 (Ca:P), which is usually not met following the typical American dietary regimen [ 14 ]. Several studies have already investigated the association between either Ca or P with inflammatory disorders [ 13 , 15 , 19 ]. however, due to the increase in the consumption of processed foods containing high phosphorus additives and on the other hand, the decrease in the intake of calcium food sources in different communities and the adverse effects of decreasing the ratio of Ca:P on human health [ 14 ], this research was aimed to examine the relation of dietary ratio of Ca:P and the odds of UC in an Iranian population for the very first time.…”