title: A study of dietary modification: Perceptions and attitudes of patients with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Modifiable risk factors for multiple sclerosis (MS), including obesity and the gut microbiome, have been studied and have been found to be potentially relevant. Given this, there is a growing interest in diet modification as a means of impacting MS risk and disease course.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the current behaviors, level of interest, and relevant factors surrounding modification of diet in MS patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 601 MS patients were mailed a dietary modification survey containing questions regarding subject demographics, disease course, and diet-related questions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 199 survey responders, 17% admitted to currently attempting a diet for their MS and 91.5% were interested in diet modification as a means of benefiting their disease. Willingness to attempt diet therapy was not affected by demographic features or an individual's disease course. Over 85% of these patients were willing to attempt diet therapy for 3 months or longer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of survey responders expressed interest in diet modification in attempts to improve or treat their MS. Our data demonstrate the feasibility of patient recruitment for future studies assessing therapeutic intervention by way of diet modification for MS disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Virginia, USA. Electronic address: jnb8h@virginia.edu.
authors.forename: J Nicholas
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Brenton
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: Myla D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Goldman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Autoimmune; Diet; Multiple sclerosis; Obesity