Nupur Nag

Background and purpose Modifiable lifestyle factors, including diet, have been implicated in multiple sclerosis (MS) progression, but prospective evidence is limited. The aim of this study was to examine prospective relationships between quality of diet and subsequent disability over 7.5 years in an international cohort of people living with MS (pwMS). Methods Data from 602 participants in the HOLISM (Health Outcomes and Lifestyle In a Sample of people with Multiple sclerosis) study were analysed. Quality of diet was assessed using the modified Diet Habits Questionnaire (DHQ). Disability was assessed using the Patient‐determined MS Severity Score (P‐MSSS). Characteristics of disability were assessed by log‐binomial, log‐multinomial and linear regression, adjusted for demographic and clinical covariates, as appropriate. Results Higher baseline total DHQ scores (>80–89, >89%) were associated with lower risks of increased P‐MSSS at 7.5 years (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] 0.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.23, 0.91 and aRR 0.48, 95% CI 0.26, 0.89, respectively), and with less P‐MSSS accrual (aβ = −0.38, 95% CI −0.78, 0.01 and aβ = −0.44, 95% CI −0.81, −0.06). Of the DHQ domains, fat subscore was most strongly associated with subsequent disability. Participants with reducing baseline‐to‐2.5‐ years total DHQ scores had greater risk of increased P‐MSSS at 7.5 years (aRR 2.77, 95% CI 1.18, 6.53) and higher P‐MSSS accrual (aβ = 0.30, 95% CI 0.01, 0.60). Participants reporting baseline meat and dairy consumption had greater risk of increased P‐MSSS at 7.5 years (aRR 2.06, 95% CI 1.23, 3.45 and aRR 2.02, 95% CI 1.25, 3.25) and higher P‐MSSS accrual (aβ = 0.28, 95% CI 0.02, 0.54 and aβ = 0.43, 95% CI 0.16, 0.69, respectively). However, reported meat consumption was confounded by quality of diet. Changes in meat or dairy consumption from baseline were inconsistently associated with subsequent disability. Conclusions We show for the first time robust long‐term associations between quality of diet and subsequent disability progression in pwMS. Subject to replication, dietary modification may represent a point of intervention for reducing disability in pwMS.

Background and purpose People with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) report reduced quality of life (QoL). Engagement with healthy lifestyle behaviours, including consuming a healthy diet, regular physical activity, and adequate vitamin D exposure, is associated with higher QoL. We aim to assess whether individual lifestyle behaviours are more beneficial to QoL than others, and whether there are additive benefits to QoL by engaging in multiple healthy behaviours concurrently. Methods Data from pwMS who completed an online survey at baseline, and at 2.5‐, 5‐ and 7.5‐year follow‐up, were analysed. Behaviours assessed were consumption of a no‐meat/dairy‐plus‐omega‐3 supplementation diet, meditation practice, physical activity, non‐smoking, and vitamin D exposure. Mental QoL (mQoL) and physical QoL (pQoL) were assessed by the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life (MSQOL‐54) questionaire. Linear regression analyses were performed to assess associations of individual behaviours at baseline and follow‐up time points with QoL, as well as between number of behaviours and QoL. Results At baseline, healthy diet and regular physical activity were associated with higher mQoL (5.3/100 and 4.0/100) and higher pQoL (7.8/100 and 6.7/100). Prospectively, diet was positively associated with mQoL, and physical activity with both mQoL and pQoL. At baseline, engagement with ≥3 behaviours was positively associated with mQoL and pQoL, with additive positive associations for each additional behaviour. Prospectively, engagement with ≥3 behaviours was positively associated with mQoL and pQoL, with strongest associations observed with engagement with five behaviours. Conclusion Consumption of a healthy diet, and regular physical activity, are both potential interventions to improve QoL. Engagement with multiple lifestyle behaviours may provide additional benefits and should be encouraged and supported for multiple sclerosis management.