Diet-related inflammation may help identify patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) at higher risk for adverse outcomes. A retrospective cohort study published in Frontiers in Nutrition evaluated the association between Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) scores and cardiovascular outcomes in adults with angiographically confirmed CHD.

A total of 500 participants were followed for a median of 38 months. Baseline dietary intake was assessed, and DII scores were calculated and categorized into quartiles. Primary outcomes included major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), all-cause mortality, and cardiovascular-related rehospitalization.

Higher DII scores were linked to a more adverse cardiometabolic profile and elevated systemic inflammation. MACE incidence increased across DII quartiles from 11.2% in Q1 to 29.6% in Q4 (p-trend <0.001). After multivariable adjustment, participants in Q4 had higher risks of MACE (HR 1.82; 95% CI 1.27–2.61) and all-cause mortality (HR 1.68; 95% CI 1.05–2.69) versus Q1.

Each 1-unit increase in DII was associated with a 21% higher risk of MACE. Higher DII scores were also linked to greater cardiovascular-related readmission rates and elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP).

Pro-inflammatory dietary patterns were associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes in CHD. Further study is needed to determine whether lowering dietary inflammatory potential can improve outcomes.