A pro-inflammatory diet is associated with long-term depression and anxiety levels but not fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Multiple sclerosis is characterised by acute and chronic inflammation in the CNS. Diet may influence inflammation, and therefore MS outcomes.

Objective: To determine whether the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) is associated with depression, anxiety, and fatigue in a prospective cohort of people with MS.

Methods: People with a first clinical diagnosis of demyelination were followed over 10 years (n=223). DII and energy-adjusted DII (E-DII) scores were calculated from the dietary intake in the preceding 12 months measured by food frequency questionnaire. Depression and anxiety were assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-A and HADS-D, respectively), and fatigue by the Fatigue Severity Scale.

Results: A higher E-DII score was associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety five years later (e.g., highest vs lowest E-DII quartile, HADS-D score: β=2.23, 95%CI=0.98,3.48, p<0.001; HADS-A score: β=1.90, 95%CI=0.59,3.21, p<0.001). A cumulative E-DII score was associated with depression (p<0.01) and anxiety (p=0.05) at the 10-year review. No associations were seen for fatigue.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that, in people with MS, a more pro-inflammatory diet may long-term adverse impact on depression and anxiety, but not fatigue.