title: Diet quality of individuals with rheumatoid arthritis using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2010.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) afflicts approximately 1.5 million American adults and is a major cause of disability. As disease severity worsens, individuals with RA may experience functional decline that can impact dietary intake.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study is to assess the diet quality of individuals with RA using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2010 and examine associations between diet quality and disease activity and functional status.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study assessed diet quality and disease activity and functional status in adults with RA. Participants completed seven-day weighed food records, which were scored using the HEI-2010. Participants had a fasting blood draw and completed the Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire to determine disease activity and functional status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of individuals with RA ( N = 84) was 53 ± 14 years, and 86.9% were female. The mean HEI-2010 total score was 58.7 ± 15.9, with 7.1% of participants scoring "good", 58.3% "fair", and 34.5% "poor". Most participants did not adhere to recommended intakes of total fruit, total vegetables, whole grains, fatty acids, refined grains, sodium, and empty calories. An unadjusted multiple linear regression model found duration of morning stiffness and C-reactive protein concentration to be significant variables to inversely predict HEI-2010 total score.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The diet quality of many individuals with RA needs improvement and may be related to functional disability associated with RA. Healthcare providers should encourage individuals with RA to meet dietary guidelines and maintain a healthy diet. Moreover, healthcare providers should be aware of the potential impacts of functional disability on diet quality in individuals with RA.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, New York University Steinhardt, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Lauren Thomas
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Berube
authors.affiliation: 2 Center for Musculoskeletal Care, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kiely
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Rheumatology, New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Yusuf
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yazici
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, New York University Steinhardt, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Woolf
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000592:standards; D018450:Disease Progression; D004435:Eating; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005511:Food Handling; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009753:Nutritive Value; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: Diet quality; Healthy Eating Index; disease activity; functional status; rheumatoid arthritis