Dietary inflammatory potential and continence symptoms in three population studies
In three population studies, higher dietary inflammatory scores were linked to concurrent leakage symptoms, but baseline scores showed no clear link to later incident symptoms. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
Repeated cross-sectional NHANES 2005–2010 analyses included 13,385 participants and related a 25-component Dietary Inflammatory Index to monthly leakage. [1]
In NHANES, each index unit was associated with prevalent leakage (odds ratio 1.075, 95% confidence interval 1.029–1.124). [1]
Baseline scores showed no clear associations with incident outcomes, and the authors state the findings do not establish that lowering dietary inflammatory potential prevents symptoms. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Abstract of cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of three population studies
- Population / context
- Participants in NHANES 2005–2010, the English Longitudinal Study of Aging and the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey 2008–2018.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- October 9, 2026
Three cohorts comparing diet scores and leakage
The authors asked whether dietary inflammatory potential relates to continence problems and whether this holds across populations and over time. They used repeated cross-sectional analyses of NHANES 2005–2010 (13,385 participants), relating a 25-component Dietary Inflammatory Index to monthly mucus, liquid or solid leakage. A 15-component index allowed a partially harmonized comparison with the English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA). The Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) 2008–2018 used a 13-food directional score and combined urinary and bowel continence impairment.
Supporting source [1]
Concurrent links, but no clear incident associations
In NHANES, each index unit was associated with prevalent leakage (odds ratio 1.075, 95% confidence interval 1.029–1.124), with similar estimates across survey periods. Concurrent estimates were 1.136 (1.066–1.210) per 15-component unit in ELSA and 1.440 (1.135–1.828) per score standard deviation in CLHLS. Combined weighting in ELSA and cognitive adjustment in CLHLS attenuated the estimates, with intervals including the null. Cumulative incident estimates were 0.974 (0.902–1.051) in ELSA and 1.044 (0.920–1.184) in CLHLS. Baseline scores showed no clear associations with incident outcomes.
Supporting source [1]
Measurement and confounding limit interpretation
The authors note that differences in dietary measurement, symptom-related dietary changes, and functional or socioeconomic confounding limit interpretation. The findings extend cross-sectional evidence but do not establish that lowering dietary inflammatory potential prevents continence-related symptoms. This explainer is based on the abstract only; the full text was not reviewed.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. Dietary measurement differences, symptom-related dietary changes, and functional or socioeconomic confounding limit interpretation. Associations are not causal.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Jiang M, Zhong M, Yu J, Zhang J, Wang H. · europepmc.org · October 9, 2026