Nutrient intake patterns, body mass index, and vitamin levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
To assess nutrient intakes and vitamin levels in 79 patients with rheumatoid arthritis participating in a trial and to determine whether changes in body mass index were associated with changes in disease activity.


METHODS
This study evaluated baseline vitamin levels, 1-day dietary intakes, and weight every 3 months for 1 year. Linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship of time to body mass index. Analysis of covariance was used to determine if body mass index, time, or treatment had an effect on disease activity.


RESULTS
Deficient vitamin levels and poor nutrient intake patterns were prevalent in the study population. Changes in body mass index over time did not correlate with changes in disease activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Rheumatoid arthritis patients are at high risk of obesity, abnormal vitamin levels, and poor nutrient intakes. Changes in body mass index failed to correlate with changes in disease activity.
Morgan
S L
SL
Department of Nutrition Sciences School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham 35294-3360, USA.
Anderson
A M
AM
Hood
S M
SM
Matthews
P A
PA
Lee
J Y
JY
Alarcón
G S
GS
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D018450:Disease Progression; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D014815:Vitamins / Q000097:blood*
D014815:Vitamins