RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Recent evidence indicates a role for dietary factors in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between dietary patterns and UC risk. METHODS: Sixty-two newly diagnosed cases of UC and 124 healthy age and sex-matched controls were studied. Data on diet was measured using a validated country-specific food frequency questionnaire. Factor analysis was used to define major dietary patterns based on 28 food groups and nutrient content. RESULTS: After adjustment for confounding factors, subjects who were in the highest tertile of the healthy dietary pattern had a 79% lower risk of UC (odds ratio = 0.21, 95% confidence interval = 0.07-0.59, P = 0.003), whereas the consumption of an unhealthy dietary pattern was associated with a significantly increased risk of UC (odds ratio = 3.39, 95% 95% confidence interval = 1.16-9.90, P = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study suggest that dietary patterns are associated with UC risk.