Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41698796›Full record

Trial reportRMD open2026

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

Giulia Gaudioso, Patrizia Zanon, Silvano Ciani, Monika Reuss-Borst

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in RMD open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Giulia GaudiosoDr. Schär SPA, Burgstall, South Tyrol, Italy giulia.gaudioso@drschaer.com.ORCID 0009-0008-1340-3219
Patrizia ZanonDr. Schär R&D Centre, Padriciano, Italy.
Silvano CianiDr. Schär R&D Centre, Padriciano, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-7515-4712
Monika Reuss-BorstHescuro Clinics, Bad Bocklet, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveTo assess the impact of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) and fibre on health-related quality of life (QOL), morning stiffness and pain in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

methodsA randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled 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). The control group received the same supplementation as the test group, with long-chain triglycerides instead of MCTs. QOL parameters, morning stiffness, pain intensity and lipid profile were assessed at baseline (T0), week 8 (T2) and week 16 (T4).

resultsAfter 16 weeks, the test group showed statistically and clinically significant improvements both in mental and physical health-related scores. MCT consumption significantly ameliorated mental health, emotional well-being, social behaviour and vitality (measured using 36-Item Short Form Survey) from baseline to T4 and relative to control. An increased motivation, as assessed with the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20 questionnaire, was reported as well. Regular intake of MCTs significantly reduced the intensity and duration of morning stiffness and pain intensity (assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale) from baseline to T4 compared with control group. Reported effects were maintained after adding fibre to supplementation. Baseline blood lipid profile showed no significant differences.

conclusionsPatients with RA supplemented with MCTs obtained significant improvements in several health-related QOL components compared to control, and fibre inclusion did not interfere with MCT efficacy. These results underscore the importance of targeted non-pharmacological approaches integrated to drug therapy in managing patients with RA. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: DRKS00025413.

Indexed as

Arthritis, RheumatoidDietary SupplementsQuality of LifeTriglyceridesAdultAgedDouble-Blind MethodFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedSurveys and QuestionnairesTreatment OutcomeTriglyceridesArthritis, RheumatoidFatigueHealth-Related Quality Of LifeLipidsPain

Identifiers

PMID41698796
PMCPMC12911760

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.