Associations between food consumption and cardiometabolic risk factors in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

• Grant number: 20/07135-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2020
• End date: August 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nutrition - Nutritional Analysis of Population
• Principal Investigator: Bruno Gualano
• Grantee: Milla Cordeiro Amarante
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Recent evidence shows that an inadequate food intake is correlated with poor cardiometabolic markers and a higher risk of developing chronic diseases. A diet that includes a low intake of fresh foods and plenty of ultra-processed foods can lead to an increased cardiometabolic risk. Patients diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are frequently affected by cardiometabolic comorbidities, which is the main cause of death in this population. To the best of our knowledge, no study has investigated the associations between consumption of ultra-processed foods and risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases in patients with SLE. That said, the present study will aim to assess the dietary pattern of patients with SLE and verify possible associations of these parameters with cardiometabolic risk factors in these patients. We will conduct a cross-sectional study in which women diagnosed with SLE will be assessed for food consumption and cardiometabolic risk factors (i.e., glucose, insulin, insulin sensitivity, lipid profile, anthropometry, and blood pressure). Our working hypothesis is that inadequate eating habits (e.g., higher consumption of ultra-processed foods and low consumption of fresh and minimally processed foods) are associated with worsened cardiometabolic profile. The findings of this study may help us to identify a new risk factor for cardiometabolic health in patients with SLE.