title: Diet and rheumatoid arthritis in women: a possible protective effect of fish consumption.
abstract: Some researchers have hypothesized that omega-3 fatty acids, found primarily in fish oils, may protect against the development of rheumatoid arthritis. We conducted a population-based case-control study in women, comparing 324 incident rheumatoid arthritis cases with 1,245 controls. We used a food frequency questionnaire to ascertain diet during a 1-year period 5 years before a reference date (first physician visit for joint-symptoms). Consumption of broiled or baked fish, but not of other types of fish, was associated with a decreased risk of rheumatoid arthritis. The adjusted odds ratios (OR) for 1- < 2 servings and > or = 2 servings of broiled or baked fish per week, compared with < 1 serving, were 0.78 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.53-1.14] and 0.57 (95% CI = 0.35-0.93). Other analyses showed associations with protein as a percentage of calories (adjusted OR for the top quartile as compared with the bottom quartile = 0.65; 95% CI = 0.46-0.94) and total calories (adjusted OR for the top quartile = 1.62; 95% CI = 1.15-2.28). The associations with broiled or baked fish, protein, and calories became stronger when we restricted our analysis to cases positive for rheumatoid factor. These results support the hypothesis that omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent rheumatoid arthritis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Shapiro
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Koepsell
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Voigt
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Dugowson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kestin
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009753:Nutritive Value; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012737:Sex Factors; D014861:Washington / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3