Abstract

Previous studies have indicated that incidence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is partly related to the damage of antioxidant systems, but etiology of RA is not fully identified. This study was performed to evaluate nutrient intakes including antioxidants, health related behaviors and food habits of RA patients and controls. RA patient group (n = 68) and sex-matched healthy controls (n = 68) were joined in this study. Nutrient intake was estimated using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. As mean age of RA (52.9 +/- 13.8 years) was significantly higher than those of controls (48.7 +/- 5.9 years), data were analyzed by using Student's t-test, adjusted for age. There was no significant difference between two groups in body mass index. Compared with those of controls, frequencies of drinking (p < 0.001) and coffee consumption (p < 0.05) of RA groups were lower. RA groups had lower frequencies of fruit (p < 0.01), vegetable (p < 0.05) and fatty meat (p < 0.05) consumptions and balanced diet (p < 0.01), and higher frequencies of fried dishes (p < 0.01), and salty dishes (p < 0.01), compared to controls. The most nutrient intakes including energy intake of RA were tended to be lower than those of controls. Vitamin A, beta-carotene and vitamin C intakes were significantly lower in RA than controls (p < 0.001). Daily vitamin A, beta-carotene and vitamin C intakes of RA were lower than those of control (vitamin A: RA 360.6 +/- 252.23 microgram RE, control 844.5 +/- 426.2 microgram RE, p < 0.001; beta-carotene: RA 1450.9 +/- 1019.0 microgram, control 3968.8 +/- 2248.21 microgram, p < 0.001; vitamin C; RA 40.6 +/- 21.48 mg,control 84.7 +/- 40.29, p < 0.001) These results suggest sufficient consumption of antioxidant nutrients may prevent and improve RA status.

• Keywords: rheumatoid arthritis; rheumatism; antioxidant nutrient; health behaviors