A pro-inflammatory diet is associated with long-term depression and anxiety levels but not fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND

Multiple sclerosis is characterised by acute and chronic inflammation in the CNS. Diet may influence inflammation, and therefore MS outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) is associated with depression, anxiety, and fatigue in a prospective cohort of people with MS.

METHODS

People with a first clinical diagnosis of demyelination were followed over 10 years (n=223). DII and energy-adjusted DII (E-DII) scores were calculated from the dietary intake in the preceding 12 months measured by food frequency questionnaire. Depression and anxiety were assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-A and HADS-D, respectively), and fatigue by the Fatigue Severity Scale.

RESULTS

A higher E-DII score was associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety five years later (e.g., highest vs lowest E-DII quartile, HADS-D score: β=2.23, 95%CI=0.98,3.48, p<0.001; HADS-A score: β=1.90, 95%CI=0.59,3.21, p<0.001). A cumulative E-DII score was associated with depression (p<0.01) and anxiety (p=0.05) at the 10-year review. No associations were seen for fatigue.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that, in people with MS, a more pro-inflammatory diet may long-term adverse impact on depression and anxiety, but not fatigue.