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Diet Study

 In a large randomized international study, we will assess whether 4-minute information cards on a heart-friendly diet have the same effect as individually adapted 60-minute dietary guidance.

Project Manager
Specialist in cardiology | PhD

Senior researcher Anne Grete Semb

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Patients with inflammatory joint disease have a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The most important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases is cholesterol, where the first recommended preventive measure is to lower the cholesterol level through a heart-friendly diet. Traditionally, it is clinical nutritionists who provide such dietary guidance, but there are not resources to refer everyone who needs such advice to guidance from a clinical nutritionist. In a pilot study, a 4-minute short information on heart-friendly diet given by a doctor produced comparable changes in diet and cholesterol values ​​as individually adapted 60-minute dietary guidance by a clinical nutritionist.

In a large randomized international study, we will assess whether 4-minute card information about a heart-friendly diet has the same effect on changes in cholesterol values, changes in diet and environmental impact as individually adapted 60-minute dietary guidance.

WHO CAN JOIN?

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis are recruited from the Preventive Heart Rheumatoid Clinic at Diakonhjemmet Hospital and from the Department of Rheumatology at Umeå University Hospital in Sweden.

The study is ongoing.

WHAT DOES THE STUDY INCLUDE?

The project is a randomized, controlled study with two groups that both receive dietary guidance. At the start, patients complete a questionnaire about diet (SmartDiet form) and weight, height and blood samples are taken. The patients are then randomly allocated to one of two groups:

  1. 4-minute short information given by a doctor
  2. 60-minute individually adapted 60-minute dietary guidance by a clinical nutritionist

After 8 weeks, the patients will again answer the SmartDiet form about diet and weight, height and blood tests will be taken. At the second visit, the participants who received short dietary guidance are offered extended dietary guidance by a clinical nutritionist. Finally, analyzes will be made of the carbon footprint of the various interventions with regard to resources, dietary changes and health services.