Relationship Between Fish Consumption and Disease Activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Objective: To assess whether more frequent fish consumption is associated with lower rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity scores among participants in an RA cohort. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using baseline data from participants in the Evaluation of Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease and Predictors of Events in Rheumatoid Arthritis cohort study. Frequency of fish consumption was assessed by a baseline food frequency questionnaire assessing usual diet in the past year. Multivariable, total energy–adjusted linear regression models provided effect estimates and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for frequency of fish consumption (i.e., never to <1 time/month, 1 time/month to <1 time/week, 1 time/week, and ≥2 times/week) on baseline Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) using the C-reactive protein (CRP) level. We also estimated the difference in DAS28-CRP associated with increasing fish consumption by 1 serving per week. Results: Among 176 participants, the median DAS28-CRP score was 3.5 (interquartile range 2.9–4.3). In an adjusted linear regression model, subjects consuming fish ≥2 times/week had a significantly lower DAS28-CRP compared with subjects who ate fish never to <1 time/month (difference −0.49 [95% CI −0.97, −0.02]). For each additional serving of fish per week, DAS28-CRP was significantly reduced by 0.18 (95% CI −0.35, −0.004). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that higher intake of fish may be associated with lower disease activity in RA patients.