Multidisciplinary lifestyle program improves outcomes in RA

Key clinical point: “Plants for Joints” (PFJ), a 16-week multidisciplinary lifestyle program based on whole food plant-based diet, physical activity, and stress management in addition to usual care, significantly improved disease activity compared with usual care alone in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and low-to-moderate disease activity.

Major finding: After 16 weeks, patients receiving PFJ vs usual care alone had a greater reduction in disease activity score of 28 joints (DAS28; mean difference −0.90; P < .0001) and were more likely to achieve DAS28 <2.60 (odds ratio [OR] 4.6) and European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology Good Response (OR 4.3; both P < .001). No serious adverse events were reported.

Study details: This randomized controlled trial, “Plants for Joints,” included 77 patients with RA and low-to-moderate disease activity who were randomly assigned to receive PFJ intervention plus usual care or usual care alone.

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Disclosures: The trial was funded by Reade (The Netherlands) and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Walrabenstein W et al. A multidisciplinary lifestyle program for rheumatoid arthritis: The “Plants for Joints” randomized controlled trial. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2023 (Jan 6). Doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keac693