Diet Quality and High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus:

Background and Aims:C-reactive protein (CRP) is commonly used as a biomarker for inflammation. Mild elevations of CRP have been seen in chronic autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and CRP has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Diet quality and certain dietary factors seem to influence CRP levels in healthy subjects. To date, the effect of diet on serum CRP in SLE has not been studied. Our aim was to investigate the relationship between dietary nutrients, antioxidant intake, and serum CRP in SLE.Design and Method:A cross-sectional study was conducted among 91 patients with SLE. High-sensitivity hsCRP values were determined using an immuno-turbidimetry assay in a Beckman Coulter analyzer (AU5800). Dietary intake of macro- and micronutrients was assessed through a 24-hr diet recall. Antioxidant nutrient intake was evaluated using the dietary antioxidant quality score (DAQs). Linear regression models were used to investigate the relationships between serum hsCR...