Food intolerance in rheumatoid arthritis. I. A double blind, controlled trial of the clinical effects of elimination of milk allergens and azo dyes.

The hypothetically negative influence of food on the clinical activity of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis was studied using two types of artificial elementary food. One diet was allergen free, the other allergen restricted, containing only lactoproteins and yellow dyes. Ninety four patients entered the study, which lasted 12 weeks. During the second four week period they were randomly assigned to one of the two artificial foods. Comparison between baseline and subsequent periods showed only subjective improvements. No differences were seen between the clinical effects of the two tested diets. Nine patients (three in the allergen restricted group, six in the allergen free group) showed favourable responses, followed by marked disease exacerbation during rechallenge. Dietary manipulation also brought about changes in objective disease activity parameters in these patients. The existence of a subgroup of patients in whom food intolerance influences the activity of rheumatoid factor seropositive rheumatoid arthritis deserves serious consideration.