We examined the nutrient intake of women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) before and after initiation of treatment with arthritis medication. Results of past (before taking arthritis medication) and present diets of RA subjects were compared to the past and present diets of the non-RA group. Subjects with RA were 19 women with a mean age of 65 ± 9 years who were diagnosed with RA and were receiving arthritis medication on a regular basis. The non-RA subjects were 19 women with a mean age of 57 ± 3 years who were apparently healthy and were not taking any prescription medication. Both groups were interviewed to determine past and present dietary nutrient intake by using the Health Habits and History food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) developed by the National Cancer Institute. Nutrient intake determined from 3-day dietary records and present diet FFQs were comparable. Total energy and fat in the past diets of the RA group were significantly higher (p<0.05) than the past diets of the non-RA group. Within each group there were significant reductions (p<0.05) between the past and present mean dietary intakes of total energy, fat and protein. There were no significant differences between the past and present micronutrient intakes between or within the two groups. However, the micronutrient content of the present diets of the RA group was lower in calcium, iron, thiamin and riboflavin than the non-RA group as measured by the number of subjects who had <67% of the RDA. There was a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the mean daily consumption of the meat, poultry, fish, eggs and bean group in both non-RA and RA groups. There was also a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the mean daily consumption of the fat, oil and sweets group among the RA subjects. RA subjects were taking an average of 3±1 arthritis medications. There were no significant correlations between the number of medications taken by the RA group and their dietary nutrient intake. However, the significant (p<0.05) decline in total energy intake by the RA group could possibly be due to medication side effects. Since present total energy intake was lower in both groups, these results could reflect the general decline in energy intake with advancing age. There were significant (p<0.05) differences between the past and present self-reported weights of the non-RA and RA groups showing a general reduction in weight over time in both groups. Mean body mass indexes (BMI) for RA subjects was higher than the non-RA subjects', possibly reflecting the lower activity level of the RA group. / Graduation date: 1996