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Call for papers - The role of diet and lifestyle modifications in the management of rheumatic diseases

Guest Editors

Brian Andonian, MD, MHSc, Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, USA
Norelee Kennedy, PhD, School of Allied Health and Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Ireland

Submission Status: Open   |   Submission Deadline: 5 September 2024

BMC Rheumatology is calling for submissions to our Collection on The role of diet and lifestyle modifications in the management of rheumatic diseases. This Collection aims to share emerging and ongoing research focusing on the influence of these factors on rheumatic disease management and patient well-being and provide new insights into disease pathogenesis and symptom management recommendations.

New Content ItemThis Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being. 

Meet the Guest Editors

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Brian Andonian, MD, MHSc, Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, USA

Dr Brian Andonian is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Duke Molecular Physiology Institute at the Duke University School of Medicine. He is a rheumatologist who practices lifestyle medicine and uses therapeutic lifestyle interventions (e.g., diet and exercise) to care for patients with rheumatic diseases. He is also a clinician scientist studying the effects of exercise training and lifestyle interventions on immune cell aging, metabolic health, and molecular function in persons with rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. The goal of his translational research is to improve outcomes in patients with rheumatic diseases, including disease activity, cardiometabolic risk, and physical disability, via personalized lifestyle prescription.

Norelee Kennedy, PhD, School of Allied Health and Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Ireland

Professor Norelee Kennedy is Vice President Research and Professor of Physiotherapy at the University of Limerick. She leads a successful program research in the field of rheumatology/physiotherapy with a focus on physical activity measurement and interventions to promote behavior change related to physical activity. Other current related research includes digital biomarkers and implementation science as well as inter-disciplinary projects in osteoarthritis and dietary related interventions in inflammatory arthritis. She has led numerous funded projects including a Health Research Board, Ireland funded project under the DIFA scheme 2018 that examined the feasibility of a physiotherapist led behavior change intervention to promote physical activity in people with rheumatoid arthritis. She is a former member of the EULAR Health Professionals Committee.


About the Collection

BMC Rheumatology is calling for submissions to our Collection on The role of diet and lifestyle modifications in the management of rheumatic diseases. This Collection aims to share emerging and ongoing research focusing on the influence of these factors on rheumatic disease management and patient well-being and provide new insights into disease pathogenesis and symptom management recommendations.

Rheumatic diseases are chronic inflammatory conditions characterized by complex interactions between genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Alongside pharmacological treatments and as part of overall patient care, dietary and lifestyle factors have been shown to play an important role in disease management.

The impact of dietary changes on disease management includes inflammatory control, weight management (preventing additional stress on joints and exacerbating symptoms), improvement of joint health, gut health (influencing gut microbiota composition), medication interactions (absorption and metabolization), and overall well-being. However, studies have also shown that alongside being a protective factor, diet can also present as a risk factor for disease pathogenesis and progression.

Lifestyle changes also play a crucial role. Through communications between patients with rheumatic diseases and healthcare professionals for guidance and support, implementation of a combination of healthy lifestyle modifications can help manage symptoms and potentially slow disease progression. This can include exercise and physical therapy to maintain joint flexibility and strength, physical activity, stress management, improved sleep quality, joint protection, medication adherence, self management, and emotional support for managing the challenges associated with rheumatic diseases.

This collection welcomes submissions on topics including but not limited to:

  • Ongoing research exploring the relationship between dietary and lifestyle factors and rheumatic disease management
  • Association of diet and the gut microbiome and their influence on rheumatic disease activity
  • Impact of lifestyle changes such as exercise, physical therapy, stress management, mental health improvement, sleep quality on disease outcomes
  • Patient education and counselling for diet and lifestyle modification
  • Challenges faced in adapting and maintaining dietary and lifestyle changes
  • Future directions for lifestyle medicine – advanced technologies (wearable devices, apps) and support for patients


This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being. 

Image credit: hriana / stock.adobe.com

There are currently no articles in this collection.

Submission Guidelines

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This Collection welcomes submission of original Research Articles. Should you wish to submit a different article type, please read our submission guidelines to confirm that type is accepted by the journal. Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection, please select "The role of diet and lifestyle modifications in the management of rheumatic diseases" from the dropdown menu.

Articles will undergo the journal’s standard peer-review process and are subject to all of the journal’s standard policies. Articles will be added to the Collection as they are published.

The Editors have no competing interests with the submissions which they handle through the peer review process. The peer review of any submissions for which the Editors have competing interests is handled by another Editorial Board Member who has no competing interests.