Diet quality and patient health outcomes over 10 years in people with MS

Dr Steve Simpson-Yap

University of Melbourne, VIC

| Better treatments | Social And Applied Research | Project | 2023 | Investigator Led Research |
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Summary

There is some evidence that of diet plays a role in the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, these largely come from small studies at single timepoints, preventing conclusion of causal relationships.  

This study will employ a large cohort study of >2000 people living with MS in the UK with clinical follow-up measurement of multiple patient-reported outcome measures since 2011. Advanced statistical methods will be applied to diet intake data acquired in 2016 and 2022 to extract diet quality characteristics and evaluate the links between diet quality and relapse, disability, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and quality of life over 10 years’ follow-up.  

These results will then be applied to the development of a web-based interface which people living with MS can use to estimate their clinical projection trajectory based on their reported food and beverage intake. 

Dr Simpson-Yap and his team will also undertake discussions with people living with MS and their carers to better inform ways which people living with MS can improve their diet which are practicable given their clinical and demographic circumstances.  

These results will both directly inform people living with MS, medical practitioners, and researchers about the link between diet and the range of clinical outcome measures in MS. It will also provide a context by which these and other diet results can be applied to realise achievable positive lifestyle change.

Updated: 22 February, 2023

Stages of the research process

Fundamental laboratory
Research

Laboratory research that investigates scientific theories behind the possible causes, disease progression, ways to diagnose and better treat MS.

Lab to clinic timeline: 10+ years
Translational
Research

Research that builds on fundamental scientific research to develop new therapies, medical procedures or diagnostics and advances it closer to the clinic.

Lab to clinic timeline: 5+ years
Clinical Studies
and Clinical Trials

Clinical research is the culmination of fundamental and translational research turning those research discoveries into treatments and interventions for people with MS.

Lab to clinic timeline: 1-5 years

Investigator

Total Funding

  • $249,301

Duration

  • 3 years – starting 2023

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Diet quality and patient health outcomes over 10 years in people with MS