Background:Mediterranean diet (MD) is a well-balanced, nutritionally adequate and potentially anti-inflammatory diet that encompasses all food groups. Presently, there are conflicting data about the benefits of MD in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Not enough evidence support a role of MD in the prevention and treatment of RA, and a modest impact of MD on laboratory parameters has been described. Greater effect on subjective aspects of the disease such as joint pain, morning stiffness, and fatigue was reported.Objectives:To investigate whether the adherence to MD affects RA perception as measured by Rheumatoid Arthritis Impact of Disease (RAID) score.Methods:Consecutive patients <65 years with RA attending our outpatient clinic were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. For each patient we collected: 1) RAID that consists of 7 single-item domains (pain, functional disability, fatigue, sleep, physical well-being, emotional well-being and coping), each rated by patients on an 11-point numerical rating scale from 0 (best) to 10 (worst) [1], and 2) MD score, a self-reported questionnaire that evaluates the adherence to MD through the consumption of 11 food groups, ranging from 0 (no adherence) to 55 (high adherence) [2]. Univariate analysis was performed using MD score as independent variable. Moreover, to evaluate the adjusted relationship between the single item of RAID and MD score, a multiple regression model was used.Results:205 RA patients were enrolled: median age at visit 53 (q1-q3: 44-59) years, female 80.5 %. The median MD and RAID score were 35 (q1-q3: 32-39) and 2.42 (q1-q3: 0.63-4.51) respectively.RAID total score had a statistically significant negative relationship with MD score (regression coefficient -0.08; p-value=0.016). Concerning the single RAID items, a statistically significant negative association was found for pain (regression coefficient -0.08; p-value=0.025), functional disability (regression coefficient -0.13; p-value<0.001), sleep (regression coefficient -0.08; p-value=0.041), physical well-being (regression coefficient -0.08; p-value=0.027) and coping (regression coefficient -0.11; p-value=0.008).Multiple regression analysis to evaluate the relationship between significant RAID items and MD score did not show any statistical significance as all items are strongly related to each other.Conclusion:To our knowledge, this is the first study addressing the relationship between the adherence to MD and the perception of RA impact. A better MD adherence was associated with lower self-reported composite total RAID score as well as lower pain, functional disability, sleep, physical well-being and coping. The effect of MD adherence on overall RAID is relevant but, at the same time, a prominent effect of one single item on the others could not be documented. This study confirmed the importance of non-pharmacological interventions, such as diet, in RA management.References:[1] Gossec L, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2011;70(6):935-42.[2] Panagiotakos DB, et al. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2006;16(8):559-68.Disclosure of Interests:Francesca Ingegnoli: None declared, Isabella Scotti: None declared, Tommaso Schioppo: None declared, Tania Ubiali: None declared, Giuseppe Marano: None declared, Patrizia Boracchi: None declared, Orazio De Lucia: None declared, Antonella Murgo: None declared, Roberto Caporali Consultant of: AbbVie; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Lilly; Merck Sharp & Dohme; Celgene; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Pfizer; UCB, Speakers bureau: Abbvie; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Celgene; Lilly; Gilead Sciences, Inc; MSD; Pfizer; Roche; UCB
LOCKDOWN FATIGUE AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: PREDICTIVE ROLE OF PERSONAL RESILIENCE, COPING BEHAVIOURS, AND HEALTH