Food and dietary patterns and multiple sclerosis: a case-control study in Belgrade (Serbia)

Abstract

Background: The aetiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) is unclear, but numerous studies suggest that different
exogenous factors can lead to the development of the disease in genetically susceptible individuals. The
objective of this case-control study was to determine the role of food and dietary patterns in patients with MS
in the population of Belgrade (Serbia).
Methods: In this matched case-control study, we included 110 cases with definite MS according to McDonald’s
criteria, in whom the onset symptoms occurred up to 2 years prior to the interview, who were followed-up at
the Institute of Neurology, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade. The identical number of controls from the same
institution, individually matched by sex, age and area of residence, was recruited from patients with various
non-autoimmune neurological disorders. Dietary information was obtained by using a frequency history
approach.
Results: According to univariate conditional logistic regression analysis the following factors were
significantly related to MS: body mass index (BMI) less than 25 (OR=2.2, p=0.009), frequent consumption of
beef (OR=1.7, p=0.043), chicken (OR=2.0, p=0.045), meat of the lamb (OR=2.1, p=0.013), butter (OR=1.7,
p=0.056) and ice-cream (OR=1.8, p=0.031), with dose-response relationship. Consumption of majority of
various fruit was more frequently reported by controls. According to multivariate conditional logistic
regression analysis, BMI less than 25 (OR=2.3, p=0.008), consumption (weekly) of beef (OR=2.0, p=0.017)
and butter (OR=1.9, p=0.027) was significantly related to MS, while regular consumption of cherry (OR=0.4,
p=0.024) had protective role.
Conclusions: This study might assist in potential defining of the dietary factors that could contribute to the
risk of developing MS