Adherence to a Mediterranean diet is associated with lower prevalence of osteoarthritis: Data from the osteoarthritis initiative

Abstract

Summary Background & aims The Mediterranean diet appears to be beneficial for several medical conditions, but data regarding osteoarthritis (OA) are not available. The aim of this study was to investigate if adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with a lower prevalence of OA of the knee in a large cohort from North America. Methods 4358 community-dwelling participants (2527 females; mean age: 61.2 years) from the Osteoarthritis Initiative were included. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was evaluated through a validated Mediterranean diet score (aMED) categorized into quartiles (Q). Knee OA was diagnosed both clinically and radiologically. The strength of the association between aMED (divided in quartiles) and knee OA was investigated through a logistic regression analysis and reported as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusted for potential confounders. Results Participants with a higher adherence to Mediterranean diet had a significantly lower prevalence of knee OA compared to those with lower adherence (Q4: 25.2% vs. Q1: 33.8%; p < 0.0001). Using a logistic regression analysis, adjusting for 10 potential confounders with those in the lowest quartile of aMED as reference, participants with the highest aMED had a significant reduction in presence of knee OA (OR, 0.83; 95% CIs: 0.69–0.99, p = 0.04). Among the individual components of Mediterranean diet, only higher use of cereals was associated with lower odds of having knee OA (OR: 0.76; 95%CI: 0.60–0.98; p = 0.03). Conclusions Higher adherence to a Mediterranean diet is associated with lower prevalence of knee OA. This remained when adjusting for potential confounders.

The role of Mediterranean diet and it’s components on the progress of osteoarthritis

“…Specifically, the daily intake of 25 g dietary total fiber is related to low risk of moderate and severe pain, in eight years follow up 33 . Other results presented fruits, vegetables consumption is associated with healthier lifestyle 19,33 .…”

“…These factors seem to impact the prevalence of knee OA in people with the highest adherence of MD. It was also observed that evaluating the individual elements of Mediterranean diet only the higher cereal consumption was associated with reduced incidence of knee OA, probably through anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, due to high content of vitamins and minerals 19 . Veronese and his colleagues, this time, revealed that participants with OA and greater adherence to MD had better status of health and quality of life.…”

“…A recent study with 4358 individuals pointed that people with high adherence to MD significantly improves BMI and showed fewer morbidities, such as type 2 diabetes compared to those with lower adherence. These individuals had also lower prevalence of knee osteoarthritis 19 . The above findings raise the need for long term research to examine the role of Mediterranean diet through the reverse of MS, by modifying the components of MS, in progress of OA.…”

“…A cross sectional study, with data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative, and sample of 4358 participants, examined the association of adherence to MD with the prevalence of OA 19 . The adherence to Mediterranean diet was assessed according to the Mediterranean diet score by Panagiotakos, based on food frequency questionnaire.…”

The “Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology” Journal Club Series: Highlights on Recent Papers in Musculoskeletal Disorders

“…In a very interesting study by Musumeci et al, for example, it is reported that the consumption of Sicilian extra virgin olive oil, an essential component of MD, in conjugation with regular physical activity, are associated with the reduction of the pro-inflammatory cytokines expression (in particular interleukin-1), and the increased expression of lubricin, a chondroprotective glycoprotein with lubricating properties [7]. Moreover, recently, it has been shown that the adherence to a MD is associated with a lower prevalence of knee OA in a large cohort from North America [8]. In this remarkable and large cross-sectional study by Veronese et al, including 4358 participants with a mean age of 61 years, almost 30% of the cohort presented knee OA, diagnosed both clinically and radiologically.…”