The University of Melbourne
Melbourne School Of Population And Global Health

Author Of 1 Presentation

Observational Studies Poster Presentation

P0851 - Clinical & demographic determinants of self-reported diet program adherence in people living with multiple sclerosis (ID 288)

Speakers
Presentation Number
P0851
Presentation Topic
Observational Studies

Abstract

Background

A range of diets have been recommended for people living with MS, ranging from low or no-meat Swank-inspired diets, to the modified Palaeolithic Wahls diet. While the clinical efficacy of these diets to modulate MS progression is uncertain, the popularity of these diets amongst people living with MS is manifest.

Objectives

To assess the clinical and demographic characteristics of adherence to several diets recommended for people with MS.

Methods

Data derived from the 5-year review of the HOLISM international cohort study. Self-reported adherence to diets were queried, ranging 1-5. Adherence was restricted to ≥12months adherence, and then dichotomised: those reporting 4-5/5 adherence defined 2nd-most adherent, 3-5/5 adherence defined 3rd-most adherent. Determinants of adherence were evaluated by log-binomial regression, adjusted for age, sex, socioeconomic status (SES), education, and fatigue. Due to low numbers, only the Overcoming MS (OMS), Swank and Wahls diets were quantitatively evaluated.

Results

458/952 (48.1%) reported following MS-specific diets for ≥12months; 61.8% followed OMS, 12.7% Swank, 3.5% Wahls, 0.9% Ashton-Embry, 0.9% McDougal, 5.7% other. OMS adherence (2nd-most) was more common among males, higher SES, lower disability, less fatigue, and fewer comorbidities. Wahls adherence (2nd-most) was more common among participants with progressive MS or greater disability. Swank adherence (2nd-most) did not vary by any parameter. Analogous results were found using the 3rd-most adherent definition.

Conclusions

These results indicate that MS-specific diet adherence is common in this patient population, but uptake is highly heterogenous between demographic and clinical subgroups. Further study of diet uptake among MS patients is indicated, particularly as the efficacy of these diets in MS is yet uncertain.

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