What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating whether a Mediterranean Diet enriched with fermented foods (MedDiet+) can affect gut bacteria and outcomes related to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This trial involves 100 RA patients meeting specific criteria, aiming to explore the connections between nutrition, intestinal microbiota, and disease activity. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups for 12 weeks. The intervention group will follow a personalized MedDiet+ plan supported by educational materials, food basket deliveries, and weekly culinary workshops led by dietitians. The control group will receive general healthy diet advice only at the start. The study will assess disease activity, functional status, quality of life, gut and oral microbiota changes, intestinal permeability, endotoxemia, inflammatory markers, serum proteins, and glycome profiles. Throughout the study, patients' clinical status and biological markers will be regularly monitored. Key measurements include the Disease Activity Score 28 using ESR (DAS28-ESR) after 12 weeks. Researchers will also evaluate inflammation, intestinal health, and quality of life. Participants must follow study procedures and maintain stable medication during this period to help determine the diet's impact on RA-related health.

The Triad of Nutrition, Intestinal Microbiota and Rheumatoid Arthritis (TASTY)