What Effect Does Diet Have on Disability in MS?

NARCOMS is an online, patient-generated registry with multiple questionnaires for patients self-reported as diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Investigators used the dietary screener questionnaire to understand associations between diet and MS symptoms and disability. Overall diets were scored based on consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, sugars, and meats. Patients also reported whether they followed one of 19 diets advocated for use in MS. Lifestyle components included low body-mass index (BMI), routine physical exercise, and smoking status.

Included were 6989 patients who completed the requisite surveys. Patients in the lowest (worst) quintile for diet quality were more likely to be smokers, have lower income, an…