ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Higher Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®) scores are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. However, little is known about the effects of DII on mortality in Mediterranean countries. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to investigate the potential association between DII scores and overall, cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in people living in a Mediterranean area. METHODS: DII scores were calculated using a validated food-frequency questionnaire. DII scores were then categorised into tertiles. Mortality was ascertained via death certificates. The association between DII scores with overall and cause-specific mortality was assessed via a multivariable Cox's regression analysis and reported as hazard ratios (HRs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: The study included 1565 participants (mean age 65.5 years; females 44.7%). After a median follow-up of 12 years (2005-2017), 366 (23.4%) participants died. After adjusting for 17 potential confounders, people with higher DII scores had an increased risk of death compared to those in the lowest (most anti-inflammatory) tertile (HR = 1.38; 95% CI = 1.04-1.82 for the second tertile; HR = 1.38; 95% CI = 1.03-1.86 for the third tertile). Each 1 SD increase in DII score increased the risk of death by 13%. No association was found between DII scores and cancer or CVD death when considered separately. CONCLUSIONS: Higher DII scores were associated with a significantly higher mortality risk, whereas the association with cause-specific mortality was less clear. These findings highlight the potential importance of diet in modulating inflammation and preventing death.
Subject(s)
Cardiovascular Diseases/mortality , Diet, Healthy/mortality , Neoplasms/mortality , Aged , Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology , Cause of Death , Diet Surveys , Female , Humans , Inflammation , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Mediterranean Region/epidemiology , Middle Aged , Neoplasms/etiology , Proportional Hazards Models , Regression AnalysisABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is currently the most common form of liver disease worldwide affecting all ages and ethnic groups and it has become a consistent threat even in young people. Our aim was to estimate the effect of a Low Glycemic Index Mediterranean Diet (LGIMD) on the NAFLD score as measured by a Liver Ultrasonography (LUS). DESIGN: NUTRIzione in EPAtologia (NUTRIEPA) is a population-based Double-Blind RCT. Data were collected in 2011 and analyzed in 2013-14. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: 98 men and women coming from Putignano (Puglia, Southern Italy) were drawn from a previous randomly sampled population-based study and identified as having moderate or severe NAFLD. INTERVENTION: The intervention strategy was the assignment of a LGIMD or a control diet. OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measure was NAFLD score, defined by LUS. RESULTS: After randomization, 50 subjects were assigned to a LGIMD and 48 to a control diet. The study lasted six months and all participants were subject to monthly controls/checks. Adherence to the LGIMD as measured by Mediterranean Adequacy Index (MAI) showed a median of 10.1. A negative interaction between time and LGIMD on the NAFLD score (-4.14, 95% CI -6.78,-1.49) was observed, and became more evident at the sixth month (-4.43, 95%CI -7.15, -1.71). A positive effect of the interaction among LGIMD, time and age (Third month: 0.07, 95% CI 0.02, 0.12; Sixth month: 0.08, 95% CI 0.03,0.13) was also observed. CONCLUSIONS: LGIMD was found to decrease the NAFLD score in a relatively short time. Encouraging those subjects who do not seek medical attention but still have NAFLD to follow a LGIMD and other life-style interventions, may reduce the degree of severity of the disease. Dietary intervention of this kind, could also form the cornerstone of primary prevention of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease.
