The Associations Between Diet and Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk in the UK Biobank
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Active, not recruiting
- Sponsor
- University of Leeds
- Enrollment
- 500,000
- Primary Endpoint
- Rheumatoid Arthritis incidence (first)
Study Overview
Brief Summary
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common inflammatory arthritis, affecting around 1% of the UK population. It affects around 400,000 adults and is characterised by synovial inflammation, cartilage and bone damage that requires lifelong treatment and represents a significant burden for both the individual and society. Diet can affect inflammatory status and RA risk, with varying risks for men and women on specific diets. People with low to moderate consumption of alcohol may be at a lower risk of RA. Those who consume lower intakes of fruit and vegetables could be at a greater risk than those with adequate intakes. This research aims to better understand the role of diet in reducing RA risk in men and women in the United Kingdom. The research will use existing dietary and lifestyle data from the United Kingdom Biobank Study and hospital records of RA incidence.
Detailed Description
Background:
RA is the most common inflammatory arthritis in the United Kingdom, contributing significantly to increased morbidity and mortality, particularly from cardiovascular diseases. Epidemiological evidence suggests that compared to occasional drinkers, moderate alcohol consumption may reduce RA risk compared to non-drinkers, and occasional drinking. Additionally, observational research highlights the potential for RA risk reduction through dietary modifications, though evidence on interactions between dietary and genetic factors remains limited, particularly in prospective cohort studies. Moreover, the mechanisms underlying potential differences in RA risk between men and women are not yet fully understood.
This study aims to assess the associations between dietary factors, such as alcohol consumption and dietary patterns, and RA incidence within the UK Biobank cohort. A secondary objective is to evaluate the role of potential modifiers in the relationship between dietary factors and RA risk, including adherence to the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), Townsend index, as well as age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, and physical activity. Additionally, interactions between dietary factors and genetic profiles in relation to RA risk will be investigated.
Research plan and methods:
This study will utilize dietary and lifestyle data from the UK Biobank, a cohort that recruited over 500,000 adults from 2006 to 2010, and linked hospital records to identify incident RA cases.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Observational
- Observational Model
- Cohort
- Time Perspective
- Prospective
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 40 Years to 70 Years (Adult, Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •Male or female
- •Ages 40 to 70 years at time of recruitment
- •Able to provide informed consent
Exclusion Criteria
- •Unable to link dietary and lifestyle data with hospital episode statistics
- •Had a rheumatoid arthritis before or no the date of recruitment
- •Withdrew consent during the study period
- •Genetic sex differs to reported sex
- •Outlier diet or anthropometric data (energy intake <500 or >5000 kcal/day or body mass index <10 or >60 kg/m2)
Arms & Interventions
UK Biobank
UK Biobank. There are no interventions in this observational cohort study.
Intervention: Food groups and Nutrients (Other)
UK Biobank
UK Biobank. There are no interventions in this observational cohort study.
Intervention: Dietary patterns (Other)
UK Biobank
UK Biobank. There are no interventions in this observational cohort study.
Intervention: Alcohol intake (Other)
UK Biobank
UK Biobank. There are no interventions in this observational cohort study.
Intervention: Vitamin D status (Other)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Rheumatoid Arthritis incidence (first)
Time Frame: Time Frame: Age when the completed questionnaire was returned (2006-2010) until age at event, death, or end of study period (2024).
First RA incidence, identified from all relevant ICD diagnosis codes and treatment codes identified through linked HES data.
Secondary Outcomes
No secondary outcomes reported
Investigators
Darren Greenwood
Senior Lecturer in Biostatistics
University of Leeds