Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases and nutrition: results from an online survey on patients’ practices and perceptions

BACKGROUND: The central role of microbiota and the contribution of diet in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID) are increasingly examined. However, patients’ perspectives on nutrition and its impact on their disease has not received a lot of attention. We aimed to directly collect information from patients with IMID about their dietary behaviors and their perceptions of the influence of nutrition on their disease. METHODS: Adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or psoriasis registered in an online patient community were invited to participate in the study and complete an online self-administered questionnaire. We assessed patients’ dietary knowledge and choices by collecting information on the diet regimens they were following or recommended and their perceptions of the diet and its consequences on their disease. RESULTS: Fifty patients per target disease were included with a mean age of 48.1 years (95%CI 46.7–49.6). Other sociodemographic and clinical characteristics varied across the diseases. Since diagnosis, 44% of the patients changed their eating habits, mainly patients with inflammatory bowel disease with 69% of these making the change on their own initiative. Patients who did not change their diet habits reported not having received nutritional advice from their healthcare professionals (HCP) in 69% of the cases. The perceived impact of nutrition on their symptoms was mixed (overall 74% of the patients reported positive consequences and 60% negative ones) and varied across the diseases. Patients with psoriasis only experienced positive consequences from changing their diet, such as reduction of stress and improved mental health, while patients with Crohn’s disease reported more negative effects such as increased fatigue and disturbed sleep. Patients with rheumatic diseases and ulcerative colitis reported weight loss and better physical fitness, but also increased fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: Even if differences exist across diseases, the importance of nutrition and its potential positive role in symptom management is acknowledged by the majority of the patients. However, there is a need and a demand from patients to receive more dietary advice. Developing therapeutic education tools on nutrition for people with IMID and involving patients’ organizations would provide useful information and encourage communication between HCP and patients.