scholarly journals The low-FODMAP diet as an effective tool for managing irritable bowel syndrome – an assessment of adult patients’ knowledge of dietary guidelines

2021 ◽  
pp. 419-426

Background. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common gastrointestinal disorder that is driven by the gutbrain axis and affects 1-20% of the population. Most patients note that various foods elicit abdominal symptoms, and they eliminate these products from their diets. A diet that is low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) is currently one of the mainstays in IBS treatment. Objective. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of IBS patients about the disease, treatment and the principles of the low-FODMAP diet that can alleviate gastrointestinal symptoms. Material and methods. The participants were adults diagnosed with IBS, the inclusion criteria were: absence of comorbidities requiring an elimination diet, age over 18 years, and consent to participate in the study. The respondents filled out an anonymous questionnaire containing questions about the IBS diagnosis, disease history and treatment, as well as 45 questions assessing the participants’ knowledge about the low-FODMAP diet. Results. In 28% of the cases, IBS was diagnosed by a general practitioner; in nearly 40% of the cases – by a gastroenterology specialist; in 10% of the cases – by a dietitian, whereas the remaining respondents had arrived at the diagnosis independently or with the help of support groups for IBS patients. After diagnosis, only every fourth respondent sought treatment in a gastroenterology clinic. In the studied population, 237 of the respondents had followed to the low-FODMAP diet, and the differentiating factors were sex (p=0.002), place of residence (city with a population higher than 100,000 vs. rural area; p=0.0001) and education (university vs. vocational school p=0.0043). Respondents who had been recently diagnosed with IBS (less than 12 months vs. more than 12 months before the study) were more likely to follow the FODMAP diet. Conclusions. The surveyed population was characterized by high levels of knowledge about the low-FODMAP diet, but many respondents did not strictly comply with dietary guidelines, in particular the duration of each dietary phase. Age was significantly correlated with the respondents’ knowledge, and the participants’ familiarity with low-FODMAP guidelines decreased with age. Nutritional consultations did not significantly improve the respondents’ knowledge about the low-FODMAP diet.

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1506
Author(s):  
Annamaria Altomare ◽  
Claudia Di Rosa ◽  
Elena Imperia ◽  
Sara Emerenziani ◽  
Michele Cicala ◽  
...  

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain associated with defecation or a change in bowel habits. Gut microbiota, which acts as a real organ with well-defined functions, is in a mutualistic relationship with the host, harvesting additional energy and nutrients from the diet and protecting the host from pathogens; specific alterations in its composition seem to play a crucial role in IBS pathophysiology. It is well known that diet can significantly modulate the intestinal microbiota profile but it is less known how different nutritional approach effective in IBS patients, such as the low-FODMAP diet, could be responsible of intestinal microbiota changes, thus influencing the presence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. The aim of this review was to explore the effects of different nutritional protocols (e.g., traditional nutritional advice, low-FODMAP diet, gluten-free diet, etc.) on IBS-D symptoms and on intestinal microbiota variations in both IBS-D patients and healthy subjects. To date, an ideal nutritional protocol does not exist for IBS-D patients but it seems crucial to consider the effect of the different nutritional approaches on the intestinal microbiota composition to better define an efficient strategy to manage this functional disorder.


Author(s):  
Stephanie K. Gaskell ◽  
Ricardo J.S. Costa

Malabsorption of fermentable oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides and polyols (FODMAPs) in response to prolonged exercise may increase incidence of upper and lower gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS), which are known to impair exercise performance. This case study aimed to explore the impact of a low-FODMAP diet on exercise-associated GIS in a female ultraendurance runner diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome, competing in a 6-day 186.7-km mountainous multistage ultramarathon (MSUM). Irritable bowel syndrome symptom severity score at diagnosis was 410 and following a low-FODMAP diet (3.9 g FODMAPs/day) it reduced to 70. The diet was applied 6 days before (i.e., lead-in diet), and maintained during (5.1 g FODMAPs/day) the MSUM. Nutrition intake was analyzed through dietary analysis software. A validated 100-mm visual analog scale quantified GIS incidence and severity. GIS were modest during the MSUM (overall mean ± SD: bloating 27 ± 5 mm and flatulence 23 ± 8 mm), except severe nausea (67 ± 14 mm) experienced throughout. Total daily energy (11.7 ± 1.6 MJ/day) intake did not meet estimated energy requirements (range: 13.9–17.9 MJ/day). Total daily protein [1.4 ± 0.3 g·kg body weight (BW)−1·day−1], carbohydrate (9.1 ± 1.3 g·kg BW−1·day−1), fat (1.1 ± 0.2 g·kg BW−1·day−1), and water (78.7 ± 6.4 ml·kg BW−1·day−1) intakes satisfied current consensus guidelines, except for carbohydrates. Carbohydrate intake during running failed to meet recommendations (43 ± 9 g/hr). The runner successfully implemented a low-FODMAP diet and completed the MSUM with minimal GIS. However, suboptimal energy and carbohydrate intake occurred, potentially exacerbated by nausea associated with running at altitude.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Margarida Guerreiro ◽  
Zélia Santos ◽  
Elisabete Carolino ◽  
Julieta Correa ◽  
Marilia Cravo ◽  
...  

To evaluate the effectiveness of a low FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, monosaccharaides, disaccharides and polyols) diet in the relief of symptoms and an improvement of the quality of life in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome in comparison to a standard diet according to the British Dietetic Association’s guidelines. A non-randomized clinical trial of adult patients with IBS was compared two diet interventions. An assessment of symptoms, quality of life, and nutritional status was performed before and after the four-week mark of intervention. Individuals from the Low FODMAP Diet (LFD) group were evaluated on a third moment, after the controlled reintroduction of FODMAPs. A total of 70 individuals were divided in two groups: Low FODMAP Diet (LFD; n = 47) and Standard Diet (SD; n = 23). 57 individuals completed the four-week intervention (LFD; n = 39; SD; n = 18). At the completion of four weeks, the symptoms improved in both groups (LFD: p < 0.01; DC: p < 0.05) but LFD led to a higher relief (p < 0.05), primarily with respect to abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Quality of life improved significantly in both groups, with no significant differences between SD vs LFD (p > 0.05). In the LFD group, the relief of symptoms observed at the four-week mark remained constant after reintroduction of FODMAPs. Both interventions seem to be effective for the relief of symptoms and quality of life, however LFD had higher effectiveness in the former. The results with LFD suggest it can be a preferred approach in individuals with diarrhoeal profile.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 446-452
Author(s):  
O.V. Gaus ◽  
◽  
M.A. Livzan ◽  

The digestive tract, like the respiratory organs, is the entrance gate for SARS-CoV-2. At the same time, diarrhea is one of the most common gastrointestinal symptoms among infected people. As the debut of COVID-19 clinical manifestations, diarrhea can be associated both with the direct cytopathic effect of the virus on the intestinal mucosal epithelium and with the gut microbiota modulation. During the period of the expanded clinical picture of COVID-19, diarrhea syndrome is commonly associated with the adverse event of drug therapy, primarily antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antiviral agents, antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants, as well as with possible involvement in the pathological process of the liver and pancreas with a violation of their functional activity. Finally, after the infection, the repeated occurrence of diarrhea requires the exclusion of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, including those caused by Clostridium difficile, as well as ischemic colitis and post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome. Besides, despite the pandemic, it should not be forgotten about the possible debut of gastrointestinal disorder or an exacerbation of already existing chronic pathology. The article presents a brief algorithm for the differential diagnosis of diarrhea in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. KEYWORDS: diarrhea, COVID-19 pandemic, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, ischemic colitis, post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome. FOR CITATION: Gaus O.V., Livzan M.A. Diarrhea syndrome: new accents of patient curation during COVID-19 pandemic. Russian Medical Inquiry. 2021;5(6):446–452 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2587-6821-2021-5-6-446-452.


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2887 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joo Hyun Oh ◽  
Yeon Sil Jang ◽  
Danbee Kang ◽  
Dong Kyung Chang ◽  
Yang Won Min

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common and chronic gastrointestinal disorder. Probiotics may have the potential to impact the management of IBS; however, the results of trials are conflicting. This study aimed to investigate whether a mixture of lactobacilli probiotics could improve abdominal symptoms in patients with unconstipated IBS. Fifty Vietnamese patients with unconstipated IBS were randomly assigned to either the probiotics or placebo groups. During the intervention, participants took the probiotic supplement, named Foodis Lactobacillus, or placebo capsule once a day. Patients recorded their subject global assessment (SGA) weekly and were assessed with the visual analogue scale (VAS) during the 4-week study period. Patients with SGA score of 2 points or more or a decrease of more than 30% in VAS score were considered responders. Patients who responded weekly for more than 2 of the 4 weeks were considered overall responders. There was no significant difference in demographic characteristics between the groups. Overall responder rates of improvement of global IBS symptoms assessed by SGA score were significantly higher in the probiotics group (80.8%) than in the placebo group (45.8%) (p = 0.009). The overall responder rates assessed by VAS score were also higher in the probiotics group (69.2%, 41.7%, p = 0.048). There were no adverse events in either group during the study period. Our findings suggest that the new combination of Lactobacilli appears to be promising in the relief of abdominal symptoms in Vietnamese patients with unconstipated IBS.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 4147
Author(s):  
Anouk Reuzé ◽  
Rosalie Delvert ◽  
Laëtitia Perrin ◽  
Robert Benamouzig ◽  
Jean-Marc Sabaté ◽  
...  

Self-management of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is increasingly focusing on exclusion diets. In particular; patients are showing a significant interest in the gluten-free diet for the treatment of IBS. However; the lack of scientific evidence prevents the establishment of clear dietary guidelines and attention is needed as dietary restriction can lead to potentially adverse effects. This cross-sectional study aims to explore the practice of gluten avoidance in participants identified with IBS in a large cohort of non-celiac French adults. The population included 15,103 participants of the NutriNet-Santé study who completed a functional gastrointestinal disorder questionnaire based on the Rome III criteria to identify IBS in 2013 and a food avoidance questionnaire in 2016. Data on diet and anthropometric and sociodemographic characteristics were collected. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to compare the avoidance of gluten between IBS and non-IBS participants. Participants were mainly women (73.4%) and the mean age in this population was 55.8 ± 13.2 years. Among these individuals, 804 (5.4%) participants were identified as IBS cases. Among them, the prevalence of gluten avoidance was estimated at 14.8%, of which 3.0% reported total avoidance; versus 8.8% and 1.6% in non-IBS participants. After adjustments; gluten avoidance was higher in IBS participants compared to their non-IBS counterparts: (OR = 1.86; 95%CI = 1.21, 2.85) for total and (OR = 1.71; 95%CI = 1.36, 2.14) for partial avoidance. Participants identified with IBS were more associated with gluten avoidance than non-IBS participants. Further studies are needed to explore the long-term consequences of dietary interventions and to provide consistent dietary guidance connected to patient perception.


2013 ◽  
Vol 67 (9) ◽  
pp. 895-903 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. H. de Roest ◽  
B. R. Dobbs ◽  
B. A. Chapman ◽  
B. Batman ◽  
L. A. O'Brien ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernanda Valdez-Palomares ◽  
Rafael Nambo-Venegas ◽  
Jacqueline Uribe-García ◽  
Alfredo Mendoza-Vargas ◽  
Omar Granados-Portillo ◽  
...  

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habit. IBS patients report that FODMAP (Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols) diet induce...


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