Diet, Lifestyle Factors, and Quality of Life in Patients with Rheumatic Diseases: A Cross-Sectional Study

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Abstract
Background and Objectives: Lifestyle and dietary behaviors are increasingly recognized as important factors influencing symptom management and quality of life (QoL) in patients with rheumatic diseases. However, evidence remains limited regarding how specific lifestyle patterns interact with sociodemographic and clinical variables to shape patient-reported outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between diet, lifestyle behaviors, and self-perceived QoL in a cohort of patients with rheumatic conditions. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 350 adults with rheumatic diseases completed a structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic data, rheumatologic diagnosis and treatment, dietary behaviors, lifestyle factors (physical activity, sleep, smoking, alcohol), and QoL assessments (scales 1–10). Statistical analyses included descriptive measures, Chi-square tests, correlation analyses, logistic regression, and linear regression models to identify predictors of QoL. Results: The majority of participants were female (86.9%) and aged between 26 and 55 years. Urban patients were more likely to attribute a positive influence of diet on QoL, while rural participants reported stronger disease burden. Logistic regression showed that adherence to a special diet significantly increased the odds of reporting good QoL. Linear regression identified sleep quality (β = 0.42), perceived dietary influence (β = 0.29), and physical activity (β = 0.18) as independent predictors of QoL (adjusted R2 = 0.47, all p < 0.001). Correlation analyses further revealed that disease burden negatively impacted emotional well-being and sleep, while dietary influence correlated positively with QoL. Conclusions: This study highlights the multidimensional role of diet and lifestyle in shaping QoL in patients with rheumatic diseases. Alongside pharmacological treatment, targeted lifestyle interventions focusing on nutrition, physical activity, and sleep hygiene may substantially improve patient outcomes. Future longitudinal studies are warranted to confirm these associations and explore causal mechanisms.

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