LAUSR

Background: Patients associations in Italy as in all the European countries have a strong role not only in empowering people with Rheumatic and Muscle-skeletal Diseases (RMDs), but also in educating them to new healthier lifestyles, comprehending physical activity and diet. In Italy, the special relationship between people and food make our job more difficult than in other countries and it needs to try new ways driving people with RMDs to a correct diet without feeling different from the healthy population Objectives: to make patients, their families & care givers and the society aware of how much important is to follow a correct diet to prevent some of the damages that may be related to rheumatic diseases; to make patients and their families aware of the importance to rely on experts in setting up correct dietary regimes; to educate people with RMDs to a correct diet and healthy lifestyle, showing them it is possible to eat meals appetizing, tasty and also appearing beautiful even if following an appropriate and healthy regimen. Methods: STEP 1 - ANMAR published “RMDs and diet”. The booklet written by dr. Annalisa Olivotti, biologist and nutritionist, contains all topics concerning diet and RMDs; the Rheumatologist position and some suggestions by patients are present too. The booklet has been sent to all people receiving the ANMAR magazine “Sinergia” and was available for free in all ANMAR events and on its website. STEP 2 – Since September 2018, through the regional associations, ANMAR organized a series of events to educate all the population and especially patients, their families and care givers, to follow a healthy diet, as a first aid to the pharmacological therapies. STEP 3 - To complete the educational pathway of each meeting, all participants can experience how fun may be eating in a healthy way, having a dinner cooked by local chefs who have previously received a complete list of the most suitable foods for proper nutrition for people with RMDs. Results: The project is still ongoing: nowadays we can refer these data: 15.000 copies of the booklet “RMDs and Diet” were published and distributed 5 meetings were organized, directly approaching a total of 450 people All participant highly appreciated the healthy menu cooked in the dinners 54 new recipes have been sent to the regional Association of Piemonte, leader of the project Using a “free – offer” request to enjoy the dinner, the project may also become a good fundraising way for the regional association organizer. Conclusion: Data collected seem to confirm this one may be a suitable way to overcome the Italian cultural gap which leads to live diet as a bad and depressing lifestyle, as in Italy eating is not only a way to feed on, but an enjoyable moment. We hope further data will enforce this first impressions and definitely confirm it. Disclosure of Interests: UGO VIORA Employee of: Wyeth Lederle, Sara Severoni: None declared, Silvia Tonolo: None declared