Work

Association between dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids and cardiovascular disease in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease marked by chronic inflammation, affecting the joints and increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The link between different polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) consumption and CVD in individuals with RA remains unclear. This study investigates the association between PUFAs intake and CVD prevalence among individuals with RA, using 2007-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis included 1,394 individuals with RA, and their PUFA intake was evaluated through 24-h dietary recall interviews. Logistic regression models evaluated the relationship between PUFA intake and CVD, adjusting for various covariates. Subgroup analyses and dose-response relationships were also explored. RESULTS: In models adjusted for age, gender and race, higher eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) intake showed an inverse association with CVD prevalence. However, this association was attenuated and did not remain statistically significant after further adjustment for socioeconomic, lifestyle and clinical factors. A higher intake of linoleic acid (LA) and n-6 PUFAs was linked to an increased prevalence of CVD. In contrast, no significant association was found between other n-3 PUFAs and CVD prevalence. An "L"-shaped dose-response pattern was observed in analyses adjusted for age, gender, and race, with a turning point at 64 mg/day, but this pattern was not observed in fully adjusted models. No significant nonlinear relationships were observed for LA, other n-3 PUFAs or n-6 PUFAs. CONCLUSIONS: A higher intake of LA and n-6 PUFAs is positively associated with CVD prevalence. These findings suggest a potential link between specific dietary fatty acid composition and cardiovascular disease in RA, warranting further investigation to inform tailored nutritional recommendations.

Source: European journal of medical research

DOI: 10.1186/s40001-026-04085-6

Authors: Danxuan Huang, Peiyu Wu, Yilan Chen, Shuping Zhong

Institution: Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University

Language: English

Topic: Fatty Acid Research and Health

Subfield: Nutrition and Dietetics

Field: Nursing

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,190