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Mediterranean Diet and Gut Microbiota in Children With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Sponsor: TC Erciyes University
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a Mediterranean diet can improve gut microbiota, disease activity, and nutrition in children with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The study will include children with SLE and healthy family members living in the same home. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does a Mediterranean diet improve gut microbiota in children with SLE? Does the diet help reduce disease activity? Does the diet improve overall nutrition? Researchers will compare children with SLE to healthy family members to better understand how diet, gut microbiota, and health are related. Participants will: Give stool samples at the beginning and end of the study to analyze gut microbiota. Have body measurements taken. Record what they eat for 3 days (2 weekdays and 1 weekend day). Answer questions about their diet, physical activity, sleep, and health. Children with SLE in the intervention group will receive nutrition counseling based on the Mediterranean diet for 12 weeks. The counseling will focus on increasing foods rich in polyphenols and reducing processed foods to improve overall diet quality. They will also receive advice on physical activity. At the end of the study, some participants will join a group discussion to share their experiences.
Official title: Effects of a Mediterranean Diet-Based Nutritional Intervention on Gut Microbiota, Disease Activity, and Nutritional Status in Children With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
8 Years - 18 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
60
Start Date
2026-06
Completion Date
2029-02
Last Updated
2026-04-29
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
Mediterranean Diet-Based Individual Nutrition Counseling
Participants receive individualized nutrition counseling from a dietitian at Erciyes University Children Hospital, tailored to each participant. The program aims to improve adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, increase polyphenol intake, reduce the dietary inflammatory index(DII), and limit ultra-processed foods. Diet is assessed via 3-day food records and KIDMED(Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children and adolescents) scores. Guidance is provided to improve dietary mistakes and increase physical activity(IPAQ, International Physical Activity Questionnaire). Weekly follow-ups monitor adherence. Additional assessments include stool samples, anthropometrics, PSQI (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), CHAQ(Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire), SLEDAI-2K(Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000), and SLICC/SDI(Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index). No food is provided; focus is on modifying existing habits.
Locations (1)
Erciyes University Mustafa Eraslan and Fevzi Mercan Children's Hospital
Kayseri, Melikgazi, Turkey (Türkiye)