A 12-week randomized controlled trial of the dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) diet in seropositive rheumatoid arthritis: Effects on disease activity and outcomes.
Gökçen Özüpek, İkbal Süheyla Altay, Zeynep Begüm Kalyoncu Atasoy et al.
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In 30 seconds
This 12-week parallel-group randomized controlled trial evaluated a DASH diet intervention versus usual diet in 82 patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis. Forty-nine participants completed the study. At week 12, DAS-28 ESR had fallen by 0.92 points in the DASH group and 0.17 points in controls, a 0.75-point greater reduction with DASH (group-by-time p = 0.001). Several other disease activity and patient-reported measures also improved more with DASH, although CRP and tender and swollen joint counts did not show significant between-group differences.
Key findings
- DAS-28 ESR decreased 0.92 points with DASH versus 0.17 points with usual diet, a 0.75-point greater reduction (group × time p = 0.001).
- Between-group changes favored DASH for DAS-28 CRP (-0.62), ESR (-3.90 mm/h), pain VAS (-2.19), general-health VAS (-2.12), and HAQ (-0.38).
- Six SF-36 domains improved more with DASH, including physical functioning (+10.15) and bodily pain (+22.17); CRP and joint counts showed no significant group × time interactions.
- Only 49 of 82 randomized participants completed the 12-week study.
Why it matters
The trial suggests that a structured dietary pattern may complement rheumatoid arthritis management, with improvements in the primary disease-activity measure and several patient-reported outcomes. The lack of significant changes in CRP and joint counts indicates that benefits were not consistent across all measured outcomes. These results add randomized evidence to the evaluation of dietary approaches in seropositive RA.
What to keep in mind
The study lasted 12 weeks, and 49 of 82 randomized participants completed it; the authors note the relatively high attrition rate.