The relationship between dietary profile and adherence to the Mediterranean diet with EDSS and quality of life in multiple sclerosis patients: a retrospective cross-sectional study

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS), one of the main neurological causes of disability seen at young ages, affects the quality of life of patients. Studies on which dietary pattern or consumption of food groups may have an impact on quality of life for MS patients are insufficient. The study was conducted to determine the relationship between adherence to Mediterranean diet and consumption levels of food groups on quality of life in multiple sclerosis patients. Methods: This study was conducted with 95 patients, 76 females and 19 males, aged 18-65 years, who had been diagnosed with MS for at least 2 years and did not have any other chronic disease. Food Frequency Questionnaire, Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS), Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 Instrument (MS-QoL-54) used as tools. Data were analyzed by SPSS 25.0. Results: Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with EDSS and physical and mental quality of life parameters (CPH and CMH), independent of progression. It was associated with EDSS and CMH in progressive MS. A statistically significant negative weak correlation was found between daily milk and oilseed consumption and EDSS. Daily fruit consumption was associated with CMH, and vegetable consumption was associated with both CPH and CMH. Conclusions: The Mediterranean diet may be an effective nutritional model in MS patients and may be related to the disability level and quality of life of the patients. Some food groups can be associated with the quality of life and disability level of MS patients.