title: Mediterranean Diet and Health-Related Quality of Life in Two Cohorts of Community-Dwelling Older Adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In older adults, the Mediterranean diet is associated with lower risk of chronic diseases, but its association with health-related quality of life (HRQL) is still uncertain. This study assessed the association between the Mediterranean diet and HRQL in 2 prospective cohorts of individuals aged ≥60 years in Spain.
  
  
  METHODS
  The UAM-cohort (n = 2376) was selected in 2000/2001 and followed-up through 2003. At baseline, diet was collected with a food frequency questionnaire, which was used to develop an 8-item index of Mediterranean diet (UAM-MDP). The Seniors-ENRICA cohort (n = 1911) was recruited in 2008/2010 and followed-up through 2012. At baseline, a diet history was used to obtain food consumption. Mediterranean diet adherence was measured with the PREDIMED score and the Trichopoulou's Mediterranean Diet Score (MSD). HRQL was assessed, at baseline and at the end of follow-up, with the physical and mental component summaries (PCS and MCS) of the SF-36 questionnaire in the UAM-cohort, and the SF-12v.2 questionnaire in the Seniors-ENRICA cohort. Analyses were conducted with linear regression, and adjusted for the main confounders including baseline HRQL.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the UAM-cohort, no significant associations between the UAM-MDP and the PCS or the MCS were found. In the Seniors-ENRICA cohort, a higher PREDIMED score was associated with a slightly better PCS; when compared with the lowest tertile of PREDIMED score, the beta coefficient (95% confidence interval) for PCS was 0.55 (-0.48 to 1.59) in the second tertile, and 1.34 (0.21 to 2.47) in the highest tertile. However, the PREDIMED score was non-significantly associated with a better MCS score. The MSD did not show an association with either the PCS or the MCS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No clinically relevant association was found between the Mediterranean diet and HRQL in older adults in Spain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid/IdiPaz, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Raúl F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Pérez-Tasigchana
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid/IdiPaz, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Luz M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: León-Muñoz
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid/IdiPaz, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: López-García
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid/IdiPaz, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: José R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Banegas
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid/IdiPaz, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Artalejo
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid/IdiPaz, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Guallar-Castillón
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D013030:Spain