Diet and inflammation have been suggested to be important risk factors for ulcerative colitis (UC). In this case–control study conducted in Iran, we examined the ability of the dietary inflammatory index (DII) to predict UC. This study included 62 UC cases and 124 controls hospitalized for acute non-neoplastic diseases. The DII was computed based on dietary intake assessed by a previously validated food frequency questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and the DII was analyzed as both continuous and as tertiles. Energy was adjusted using the residual method. Subjects with higher DII scores (i.e., with a more pro-inflammatory diet) had a higher risk of UC, with the DII being used as both a continuous variable (OR_continuous 1.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04–2.32; one unit increase corresponding to ≈8% of its range in the current study) and as tertiles (OR_{tertile3vstertile1} 2.58, 95% CI 1.03–6.48, P_trend| = |0.04). These results indicate that a pro-inflammatory diet is associated with increased risk of UC.

Diet and inflammation have been suggested to be important risk factors for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In this study, we examined the ability of the dietary inflammatory index (DII) to predict ESCC in a case-control study conducted in Iran. This study included 47 ESCC cases and 96 controls hospitalized for acute nonneoplastic diseases. The DII was computed based on dietary intake assessed by a previously validated food frequency questionnaire. Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) adjusted for age, energy, sex, body mass index, years of education, physical activity, smoking and gastroesophageal reflux. Subjects with higher DII scores (i.e., with a more proinflammatory diet) had a higher risk of ESCC, with the DII being used as both a continuous variable [OR_continuous = 3.58, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.76–7.26; one unit increase corresponding to ≈16% of its range in the current study] and a categorical variable (OR_{dii>1.20 vs ≤1.20} = 8.24, 95% CI: 2.03–33.47). These results indicate that a proinflammatory diet is associated with increased risk of ESCC.

Background: The relation between dietary inflammation and risk of depression has not been widely explored. We examined the association between the inflammatory effect of the diet and the odds of depression among Iranian female adolescents. Methods: Using a stratified cluster sampling technique, 300 female adolescents aged 15–18 years were recruited from schools in Tehran between years 2014–2015. Depression was assessed using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS)- a 21-point scale. The dietary inflammatory index (DII^®) was used to evaluate the inflammatory potential of the diet. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. In addition to descriptive statistics, multivariable linear and logistic regression were used to calculate confounder-adjusted beta estimates and odds ratios. Results: In total, 88 females (30%) had at least a moderate level of depressive symptoms (DASS > 6). Females with the most pro-inflammatory diet had higher DASS depression score (β = 1.67; 95% CI = 0.03, 3.31) and were at 3.96 (95% CI = 1.12, 13.97) times higher odds of having at least moderate depressive symptoms, compared to females with the least anti-inflammatory diets. Conclusion: These data suggest that Iranian adolescent females eating a pro-inflammatory diet, as indicated by higher DII scores, had greater odds of having at least moderate depressive symptoms.

Background. Maternal dietary patterns play an important role in the progress of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The aim of the present study was to explore this association.Method. A total of 388 pregnant women (122 case and 266 control) were included. Dietary intake were collected using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). GDM was diagnosed using a 100-gram, 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test. Dietary pattern was identified by factor analysis. To investigate the relation between each of the independent variables with gestational diabetes, the odds ratio (OR) was calculated.Results. Western dietary pattern was high in sweets, jams, mayonnaise, soft drinks, salty snacks, solid fat, high-fat dairy products, potatoes, organ meat, eggs, red meat, processed foods, tea, and coffee. The prudent dietary pattern was characterized by higher intake of liquid oils, legumes, nuts and seeds, fruits and dried fruits, fish and poultry whole, and refined grains. Western dietary pattern was associated with increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus before and after adjustment for confounders (OR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.27–3.04, OR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.04–2.27). However, no significant association was found for a prudent pattern.Conclusion. These findings suggest that the Western dietary pattern was associated with an increased risk of GDM.

Background: Diet and inflammation have been suggested to be important risk factors for multiple sclerosis (MS). Objectives: In this study, we examined the ability of the dietary inflammatory index (DII) to predict MS in a case-control study conducted in Iran. Methods: This study included 68 MS cases and 140 controls hospitalized for acute non-neoplastic diseases. The DII was computed based on dietary intake assessed by a previously validated food frequency questionnaire. Logistic regression models were used to estimate ORs adjusted for age, energy, sex, body mass index, season of birth, rubella history, history of routine exercise before MS, smoking and history of consumption of cow's milk in the first 2 years of life. Results: Subjects with higher DII scores (i.e., with a more pro-inflammatory diet) had a higher risk of MS, with the DII being used both as a continuous variable (OR_continuous 1.66; 95% CI 1.19-2.31; 1 unit increase corresponding to ≈15% of its range in the current study) and a categorical variable (OR_{DII (>1.43 vs.≤1.43)} 2.68; 95% CI 1.15-6.26). Conclusions: These results indicate that a pro-inflammatory diet is associated with increased risk of MS.