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Dietary responses to a multiple sclerosis diagnosis: a qualitative study
journal contribution
posted on 2023-04-18, 04:58 authored by RD Russell, LJ Black, JL Sherriff, A BegleyBackground/objectives: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated disease with no known cure and insufficient evidence to support a special therapeutic diet to alter symptom management or disease progression. Several studies have reported dietary changes made by people with MS, but there has been limited investigation into experiences surrounding diet in those recently diagnosed. This study explored responses to diet after a recent diagnosis of MS in people living in Western Australia. Subjects/methods: Eleven adults with MS (mean time since diagnosis 8 months) participated in semi-structured interviews focusing on responses to diet since MS diagnosis. Interviews were transcribed, coded and analysed using grounded theory principles. Results: Three theme responses emerged; (1) the perceived incompatibility of lack of/or generalised dietary advice with disease seriousness at the time of diagnosis; (2) extensive personal research and information seeking with difficulty judging credibility, and (3) self-experimentation with diet to either control MS symptoms or to cure MS. Conclusions: Given the seriousness of the disease, there is a perceived gap in dietary information provided at the time of diagnosis. Healthcare professionals should address concerns with alternative therapeutic diets advertised to treat or cure MS, and clearly convey the reasoning for the general healthy dietary recommendations. This would better align advice with the perceptions about the role of diet in MS, assist people with MS in need of information and minimise dietary self-experimentation. Future research should explore the importance of diet for those who have had MS for a longer period of time.
History
Journal
European Journal of Clinical NutritionVolume
73Pagination
601-608Location
EnglandPublisher DOI
ISSN
0954-3007eISSN
1476-5640Language
enPublication classification
C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalIssue
4Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLCUsage metrics
Categories
Keywords
AdultDietFemaleGrounded TheoryHumansMaleMultiple SclerosisPatient Acceptance of Health CareQualitative ResearchWestern AustraliaClinical ResearchBrain DisordersNeurosciencesNutritionPreventionNeurodegenerativeAutoimmune Disease7.1 Individual care needs7 Management of diseases and conditionsNeurologicalHuman Movement and Sports Science not elsewhere classifiedFood Sciences not elsewhere classifiedNutrition and Dietetics not elsewhere classified
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