Improvements in quality-of-life dimensions through medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) supplementation in rheumatoid arthritis: updated findings from a randomised clinical trial.

MCT supplementation produced statistically and clinically significant improvements in both mental and physical health-related quality of life scores after 16 weeks.

• Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with 61 RA patients on stable drug treatment.
• Participants received twice-daily MCT supplementation (30 g/day) for 8 weeks, followed by 8 weeks of MCTs (30 g/day) combined with fibre (30 g/day).
• Control group received same supplementation with long-chain triglycerides instead of MCTs.
• QOL parameters were assessed at baseline (T0), week 8 (T2) and week 16 (T4).
• Improvements were observed both from baseline to T4 and relative to the control group.

MCT consumption significantly ameliorated mental health, emotional well-being, social behaviour and vitality as measured by the 36-Item Short Form Survey.

• Improvements were measured using the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36).
• Significant improvements were observed from baseline to T4 and relative to control.
• These effects were maintained after adding fibre to the supplementation regimen.
• Both mental and physical health-related scores showed statistically and clinically significant improvements.

MCT supplementation was associated with increased motivation as assessed with the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20 questionnaire.

• Motivation was assessed using the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20 (MFI-20) questionnaire.
• Increased motivation was reported in the MCT test group.
• The effect was evaluated across the 16-week supplementation period.
• This finding was reported alongside other quality-of-life improvements.

Regular intake of MCTs significantly reduced both the intensity and duration of morning stiffness and pain intensity compared with the control group.

• Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).
• Reductions were observed from baseline to T4 compared with the control group.
• Both morning stiffness intensity and duration were significantly reduced.
• Reported effects were maintained after adding fibre to the supplementation.

Baseline blood lipid profiles showed no significant differences between groups, and fibre inclusion did not interfere with MCT efficacy.

• Lipid profile was assessed at baseline (T0), week 8 (T2) and week 16 (T4).
• No significant differences in baseline blood lipid profiles were reported between test and control groups.
• The addition of fibre (30 g/day) in weeks 8–16 did not interfere with the beneficial effects of MCTs.
• The control group used long-chain triglycerides as a comparator, allowing isolation of MCT-specific effects.